Reading, engaging with, and sharing our publications, papers and commentary gives evidence-based science and policy the audience it needs and deserves.
We are well over the 2500 mark now with the number of patients registered with the project. Thank you for everything you do as supporters of Drug Science to help us spread the word about medical cannabis and Project Twenty21.
Our research project with the University of East London is in full flow. Thank you to those who have already filled out thisshort anonymous survey for prescribing doctors and nurses. Please do share with any medical professionals you know to help us with this research.
"I'm finally able to access medication that works for my painful diseases where all others have failed.” - Chronic Pain & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patient, aged 32
If you’re a T21 patient, you can share your own experience with us by filling out this form.
This month's data nugget: Unpacking primary conditions
Project Twenty21 opened up its eligibility criteria to cover all conditions for which medical cannabis can be prescribed in February this year. The change has allowed us to look more closely at the types of anxiety conditions patients are reporting and the types of conditions that cause chronic pain. From here, we will be able to examine whether different forms of anxiety or pain respond better or worse to cannabis-based medicines (CBPMs) as well as what specific treatments may be optimal for different types of anxiety or pain.
The most commonly reported chronic pain condition among those selecting a specific chronic pain condition since the eligibility update (168) is back and/or neck pain at 27%, followed by fibromyalgia (19%) and arthritis (13%). These three conditions combined make up 59% of all patients who reported a specific chronic pain condition.
The most commonly reported anxiety condition among those selecting a specific anxiety condition since the eligibility update (39) is generalised anxiety disorder at 56%, followed by social anxiety disorder (21%) and agoraphobia (8%). These 3 conditions combined make up 85% of all patients who reported a specific anxiety condition.
Based on our current data (2633 patients) the most common individual condition on Project Twenty21 since the beginning of the project is PTSD at 25.7%, followed by Multiple Sclerosis (12.5%) and ADHD (10.4%). Chronic pain and anxiety still make up the largest proportion of our patients, however these are condition clusters and not individual conditions.
NEW: UK Medical Cannabis Patient Conference
We're excited to announce that Drug Science is working with MedcanSupport to host the first Medical Cannabis Patient Conference in the UK this year, to coincide with Medical Cannabis Awareness Week. This daytime event will be a chance for the medical cannabis patient and prescriber community to come together and celebrate one anothers' journeys.
Our intention with the UK Patient Conference is to create a free event for medical cannabis patients and those interested in learning more about cannabis-based medicines, and so bridge the gap between cannabis industry and recreational-focused events. We also want it to be an annual get-together for our community that will help put Medical Cannabis Awareness Week, introduced by PLEA back in 2020, on the world's radar.
We're looking for patients and prescribers to speak at the event, so if you think that might be you, simply fill out this form to apply (or share with someone who might be up for it!). You don't have to be with Project Twenty21 - any medical cannabis patient can apply.
More details will be announced soon, but for now make sure you save the date and register for your free place! A big thank you to CHILAM, 4CLabs and the Cannabis Industry Council for supporting this event.
Watch our new video about Claire's journey
Claire's story about how she came to discover cannabis for treating her Fibromyalgia and Endometriosis is a very interesting one - one that points to the difficulties of being taken seriously by medical professionals as a young person and as a woman, as well as highlighting the dangers of sourcing cannabis from the illicit market. She is now proud to be a Project Twenty21 patient and kindly shared her journey with us at our recent webinar, 'The Truth About Cannabis'.
Last month, the team were hard at work speaking to people at two largescale but very different London-based events.
20th April was 4/20 - and the sun certainly came out for it! Hyde Park was packed out with people celebrating cannabis. The Aqualabs team (with Dr Callie Seaman) joined us, and we spoke to lots of people about medical cannabis, dispelling the myths, uniting over cannabis stigma, and handing out flyers and our new 'Cannabis is medicine' badges. We even managed to squeeze in a couple of interviews: Mags was quoted in Vice's coverage of the day here.
From left to right: Mags, Simon and Callie
Only a couple of days later, four members of the Drug Science team were at The CBD Show for a panel discussion and Q&A about our research and data on medical cannabis. It was the first time Mags, Alkyoni, Hannah and Rayyan have taken part in a panel together, and something they hope to do much more of in the future!
From left to right: Mags, Alkyoni, Hannah and Rayyan from the Drug Science team
Are you receiving our questionnaire emails?
If you’re a patient registered with Project Twenty21, then you should have received a request to fill in your intiial evaluation. This comes through from noreply@mvcteach.ca and the sender will show up as "Project Twenty21 - Drug Science". If you can't see the email in your inbox, then please check your spam or junk folder, or email our team if you need further support.
That way you can ensure you're one of the 2500 patients contributing their data to help us move closer to our goal of medical cannabis access on the NHS.
Medical Cannabis Congress, Berlin - 10/11th June
Dr Anne Schlag will be speaking alongside UCL pain expert, Dr Brigitta Brandner at this German cannabis conference next month. Register here for a ticket.
Cannabis Europa - 28/29th June
Prof Mike Barnes and Dr Anne Schlag will both be speaking at the cannabis industry expo this year in London. Register here for a ticket.
Medical Cannabis Explained (training for medical professionals) - 7th July
Our next CPD certified training session for medical professionals is a perfect opportunity for doctors to ask questions face-to-face with our Clinical Director, Prof Mike Barnes. Find out more and register.
Product Earth - 19th-21st August
This is the 6th show from Product Earth, an annual summer festival taking place in Kennington, near Coventry. Get your tickets here.
UK Patient Conference, Medical Cannabis Awareness Week - 4th November
This daytime conference will be a chance for the medical cannabis patient and prescriber community to come together and be heard. Register for your free place.
How can you help?
As we analyse the data and receive more and more stories from patients, the importance of Project Twenty21 has never been clearer.
If you’d like to support Project Twenty21, to help us gather evidence for medical cannabis to be covered by the NHS, please consider a donation to Drug Science. Every little bit helps us continue the essential work that we do.
Drug Science is the leading independent scientific body on drugs in the UK. We work to provide clear, evidence-based information without political or commercial interference.
