A medical cannabis patient banned from motorsport has launched the world's first racing team for prescribed patients, returning to compete at the same circuit where he was previously excluded by Motorsport UK.

A five-year study finds that patients with treatment-resistant lower back pain experienced significant improvements and were able to stop taking prescription opioids after switching to medical cannabis.

As patient numbers increase, so does the risk of workplace misunderstandings. In his latest column, our resident pharmacist, Umesh, addresses a reader's concerns about HR contacting their clinic, setting the record straight for employers and employees alike.

Legalising medical cannabis reduced health-related workplace absences, with manual labourers and industrial workers seeing the biggest benefits.

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Over 760,000 women languish on gynaecology waiting lists while the data linking cannabinoids to hormonal health becomes clearer by the day. Yet there's not a single large-scale trial testing cannabis for women's health issues. Could cannabis bridge the gap?

In a recent review of cannabis reform across the world, researchers at the University of Bath found that 25 years of data show what activists have been screaming for decades. Allowing adults access to cannabis does not lead to an increase in harm... 1/3

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants, significantly reduced pain in mouse models of fibromyalgia and post-operative conditions, without causing psychoactive effects.

Opponents of cannabis reform have long warned that anything but prohibition would trigger an epidemic of harm. After 25 years of experiments across five continents, the data shows that the problem isn’t ending criminalisation; it’s what you replace it with.

A parliamentary committee has recommended the decriminalisation of possession of all drugs for personal use, following an extensive examination of drug policy in Ireland.

Half of people with chronic conditions are sleep-deprived. When pain lowers your threshold for sleep and sleeplessness lowers your threshold for pain, you need treatment that targets both. So where is it?

A coalition of patient organisations has challenged an unpublicised move to restrict CBD and label it as a precursor to other drugs, warning that consumers could be pushed into unregulated markets if a ban is put in place.

More than half of cancer patients in a Canadian study reported meaningful improvements in sleep, anxiety, and other symptoms after using cannabis oil extracts.

The largest study of its kind to date found that 60% of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients achieved clinically significant pain reduction after 24 months of cannabis-based treatment, with many also reducing their opioid use.

A universal basic income scheme, funded by tax revenue from cannabis sales, has helped dozens of low-income families improve their lives. The scheme, which launched in April 2025, provides 59 families in Albuquerque with $750 per month, with no strings attached.

New polling reveals broad support for psilocybin-assisted therapy across the political spectrum, with 68% backing end-of-life care use. Yet the UK remains the last major English-speaking nation to allow medical access.

MPs from the Greens, Lib Dems, Labour, plus independent Jeremy Corbyn, have signed a motion calling for the end of the Misuse of Drugs Act, calling it a failure that is not fit for purpose.

Dispelling the 'lazy stoner' stereotype, the study found that people who used cannabis were shown to be more likely to engage in light and medium exercise.

CBD leapt from wellness hack to high street darling in little more than five years. Now, researchers want to turn it into the packaging for items in your weekly shop. This isn’t the first time hemp has been tipped to replace plastic, but this time the science really works.

Two lesser-studied cannabis compounds have shown a reduction in voluntary alcohol intake in rats, offering a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder in humans.

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, could offer a breakthrough treatment for cocaine addiction.

Two lesser-studied cannabis compounds have shown a reduction in voluntary alcohol intake in rats, offering a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder in humans.

A systematic review of preclinical studies has found that cannabidiol can reduce the growth of cancer cells in dogs, though researchers say more work is needed to determine the most effective doses and delivery methods.

Almost 90% of participants in a Canadian survey regard cannabis as an effective and safe pain management option for arthritis, with one in six having used it in the past month to treat severe joint pain.

Nearly all patients prescribed medical cannabis for mental health conditions reported symptom improvement, according to the largest multi-clinic patient survey of its kind in the UK.

Removing cost barriers to medical cannabis enabled patients with chronic pain to significantly reduce their reliance on prescription opioids, with nearly a quarter stopping opioid use entirely, according to new research.

Vapes and pastilles have overtaken traditional dried flower in growth rate as the UK medical cannabis market hits record volumes, new data shows.

The study found that children with prenatal cannabis exposure actually scored higher on language assessments than unexposed children, and performed equally well on cognitive tests.

Cannabis Europa kicks off this time next week. We'll be following the key developments across policy, market strategy and investment to understand what the future looks like for patients and consumers. 1/2

New research suggests whole-plant cannabis extracts may be more effective than THC alone in treating metabolic disorders, with mice showing significant improvements in glucose regulation and weight loss.

People with a high risk of psychosis who use cannabis and tobacco together face nearly three times the risk of developing conditions such as schizophrenia, according to new research.

A study has found that over-60s in the US are turning to cannabis instead of other drugs, with many believing a mix of CBD and THC is most effective.

A comprehensive review of 12 studies involving more than 1,200 fibromyalgia patients has found that cannabis significantly reduced pain levels and improved sleep, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

A meta-analysis of over three million people has revealed a bidirectional link between cannabis use disorder and major depressive disorder.

leafie's Liam O'Dowd will be hosting a panel at this year's Cannabis Europa in London. Give Me a Break: The Latest Research on Tolerance will explore the role of tolerance breaks in clinical care and the implications for medical cannabis use. #CannabisEuropa #CELondon2026

“Cannabis was a core crop in ancient China, ranking alongside rice, millet, barley and soybean as one of the “five grains” fundamental to the development of early agricultural societies, according to new archaeological research.“

A study has shown that a single dose of psilocybin, the main active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can cause measurable changes in brain anatomy and function that last for up to one month.

The Government has just barred an entire generation from ever buying cigarettes, but when has telling a teenager they can’t do something ever worked? Is the country about to undo decades of successful harm reduction?

Archaeologists used a new technique to discover that cannabis was integral to daily life in northern China during the late Neolithic period, challenging previous understanding of the plant's ancient role.

Vaping cannabis produces up to 99% fewer harmful chemicals than smoking it, according to a new self-published study paper by vaporiser manufacturer PAX.

Planning a road trip or a holiday abroad? You may be wondering how to legally and safely take your medical cannabis prescription with you. Our handy guide will help you understand the proper procedures and ensure a trouble-free trip.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has officially moved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, marking one of the most significant changes to American drug policy in decades.

Survey data from the American state of Minnesota has revealed a drop of more than 50 per cent in cannabis use amongst students since 2013, adding to the growing body of evidence that legalising cannabis for adult use actually protects teens.

Richard Halford’s brilliantly written, authentic and riveting memoir exploring how he spent the sixties making, smuggling and dealing high-quality Moroccan hashish across mainland Spain and the Balearics.

A survey of over 3,500 patients reported an average 85 per cent reduction in the use of other prescription medicines after starting medical cannabis, with large drops in the use of opioids and sleep drugs.

Only 35% of the general public think cannabis possession should remain a criminal offence, while one in three Brits say they have tried cannabis at least once.

A survey of over 3,500 patients reported an average 85 per cent reduction in the use of other prescription medicines after starting medical cannabis, with large drops in the use of opioids and sleep drugs.

Cannabis Europa has announced the full programme for its 2026 London edition, with a number of patient issues featuring across two days of sessions and talks at The Barbican on 26 and 27 May.

"When medical cannabis was legalised, it was done so without care. The tragic case of Oliver Robinson raises questions, but as a pharmacist in this sector, I can tell you the real scandal isn't the clinics: it's the fragmented healthcare infrastructure"