Dear (MP’s Name),
I am writing to you as a local constituent to (My Area) and a patient living with debilitating mental health disorders. I have a diagnosis of PTSD, OCD, depression, insomnia, general anxiety and BPD. For the past 10 years I have been prescribed a wide range of NHS medication, countless talking therapy and CBT. These high-strength medications have reduced my quality of life, worsened my conditions and provided no medical benefit.
Cannabis-based medicinal products were rescheduled 4 years ago today on 1st November 2018, patients like me had hoped that we could finally access this potentially life-changing treatment, yet there have been less than a handful of NHS prescriptions. With private prescriptions unaffordable for the majority, 1.4 million patients across the UK are still being forced to access their medicine through the illicit market. Despite the rescheduling in November 2018 allowing clinicians to prescribe medical cannabis, only 3 patients have received NHS prescriptions.
I only became aware of the quiet change to the law within the past year and after numerous attempts to take my own life, becoming addicted to alcohol and spending a week at (Hospital Name) psychiatric ward I took the decision to seek a private prescription of medicinal cannabis regardless of being unable to afford the high cost.
Since obtaining my prescription 6 months ago I haven’t touched alcohol, I can sleep at night, I can leave the house without suffering constant panic attacks, I'm no longer taking NHS prescribed medication, my mood has become far more positive and all suicidal thoughts have ceased.
Given the high-cost of living, increased mental health concerns across the country I believe affordable effective healthcare is a necessity for UK patients. With such a desperate situation for so many patients like me, I ask you as my MP, to please take action by writing to the relevant Government department today, to highlight the injustices and calling for fair access to medicinal cannabis.
Medical cannabis is an accessible treatment around the world, including across Europe, America & Canada, and yet is largely inaccessible to UK patients. As my MP, please highlight the need for improving access to these medicines on the NHS. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
(My Name)
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6 comments
Feala
- 3y
Rep: 3960 Lvl: Gold
Dear (MP)
Today is 4 years since the rescheduling of cannabis and this week is Medical Cannabis Awareness Week.
I have been prescribed cannabis whole flower of various strains (all with <1% CBD and THC from 16-25% to vapourise for my long term anxiety disorder since June this year. This costs me on average £350 per month. I have enjoyed a significant improvement in my quality of life which would be improved further if I were not hampered by the significant financial costs. I work full time but such costs are clearly impossible for many people.
Most people in Britain are unaware that cannabis is legally available as a medicine. Those who are aware believe this is only CBD (such as available in many high street stores) or oils for rare childhood epilepsy conditions or MS. This is simply not true.
Elsewhere, cannabis flower is widely available as a medicine at more reasonable costs. It is an effective medicine with widespread usage in Israel, Australia, Canada, America, Spain and other places. The UKs legal cannabis market is expected to expand at pace in the coming years and Germany are now pursuing the legalisation of all adult cannabis use.
I am seeking your support as a patient. I ask you to raise awareness of medical cannabis and the issues users currently face by a system not fit for purpose. Access should be increased on the NHS urgently and the government must work with private prescribers and suppliers to reform legislation to improve the market to the benefit of patients who urgently need a reduction in price AND an increase in product quality (medical cannabis products in the UK have been typically poorly grown and have been fraught with mould issues and supply chain delays).
Please undertake this week to improve your knowledge of medical cannabis. I would be happy to answer questions you might have, and you will find an array of events this week. Most importantly, please undertake to support medical cannabis patients and undo the years of anti-science stigma we have experienced and continue to experience as legal, disabled, medical cannabis users.
Yours sincerely,
14
Dinamus
- 3y
Rep: 3825 Lvl: Gold
This is a great letter, I would add about the inconsistent stock levels, and (if you have) when you have been without MC because of these stocks levels, what happened. For me I had to return to NHS meds and as a result left like a zombie, which meant I could no longer work. HR signed me off until MC was back in stock.
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FreshRoll
- 3y
Rep: 4398 Lvl: Gold
Thanks also gonna write my own later
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Killerhazard
- 3y
Rep: 4753 Lvl: Gold
Thank you, this letter has given me inspiration to write my own.
The thing I'm wondering is >Are any of these current NHS patients receiving flower?
If legislation was to change then I don't think some people would be happy using Epidyolex, Nabilone or Sativex to treat their conditions.
5
Terpman
- 3y
Rep: 4215 Lvl: Gold
https://www.writetothem.com/
This website can be used to contact your MP 🙂
4
Toad
- 3y
Rep: 5778 Lvl: Gold
https://www.pleacommunity.org.uk/example-mp-letter - is the site I used to help write this letter. Please write to your MP.
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