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Medical cannabis – what you need to know: Edinburgh

13th September 2022 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Join the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society at this introduction to the history and evidence of medical cannabis and CBD

About this event

Clinicians, medical students, scientists, researchers, professionals and patients curious about medical cannabis and the current state of prescribing, evidence and availability in the UK are welcome to join us at this practical introduction to medical cannabis and CBD.

You’ll hear from leading researchers and experts currently training doctors to prescribe this treatment, from patients currently being prescribed medical cannabis, and about the history, evidence and cultivation of medical cannabis.

Attendees will hear from, and get discount access to, new an online medical cannabis course for doctors & medical professionals, developed by experts from the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in partnership with Sativa Learning.

In addition, Volteface will introduce a new report, based on research which engaged clinicians across the UK about medical cannabis and its usage.

Speakers include:

  • Prof Mike Barnes, Medical cannabis expert and neurologist, Chair of The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society
  • Dr Liz Iveson, Neuro Rehabilitation & Internal Medicine Consultant & Executive Committee Member, The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society
  • Katya Kowalski, Head of Operations, Volteface
  • Dr Anna Ross, Drug Policy Stakeholder expert and Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh
  • Lisa Quarrell, mum of Cole Thomson who lives with epilepsy

Event information

The event is being held in the Great Scots Hall. The event will open at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm start. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival.

Meet Your Speakers

Medical cannabis - what you need to know: Edinburgh image

Professor Mike Barnes

Chair, The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

Medical cannabis expert and neurologist Professor Mike Barnes has dedicated the latter part of his career to medical cannabis excellence, education and clinical leadership. Chair of The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, Prof. Barnes co-authored the All-Party Parliamentary Group report on the evidence for medical cannabis as part of its Drug Policy Reform.

As the first adopter of medical cannabis as a treatment option in the UK, Prof. Barnes shares his expertise and passion for the medical cannabis industry with international Governments, global cannabis organisations and specialist clinicians.

Learn more about Prof. Barnes

Medical cannabis - what you need to know: Edinburgh image

Katya Kowalski

Head of Operations, Volteface

Responsible for overseeing project development, management and external engagement at Volteface, Katya is an expert in global drug reform with a wealth of experience in research, and policy implementation. With a background in psychology she has a deep interest in the complex relationship between drug use and mental health. Katya enjoys commenting on the context and nuance surrounding drug use, along with the complexities and challenges of bringing cannabis into mainstream medicine.

 

Her first policy report The New Leaf received mainstream media coverage, including in The Express. Katya holds a holds a BSc in Psychology and MSc in Health Psychology, both from the University of Bath.

Medical cannabis - what you need to know: Edinburgh image

Dr Liz Iveson

Neuro Rehabilitation & Internal Medicine Consultant & Executive Committee Member, The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

A leading medical cannabis clinician specialising in complex care, Dr Iveson prescribes medical cannabis to patients across the North and North East and in London.

One of the first prescribers of medical cannabis in the UK, Dr Iveson supports patients of all ages who experience a range of chronic symptoms arising from long-term conditions, stroke and trauma. She has particular experience in all aspects of stroke care, neurological rehabilitation and frailty.

Medical cannabis - what you need to know: Edinburgh image

Dr Anna Ross

Anna Ross is specialist in drug policy stakeholder engagement, with her PhD focusing on the participation of stakeholders in the development of drug policy in Scotland. She is currently a Lecturer in the School of Health at the University of Edinburgh, and an Honorary Research Assistant for Drug Science. Anna completed her graduate studies in Law at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a Masters in Alcohol and Drugs Studies, and a PhD in Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. She has worked for the Scottish Government on developing safeguarding protocol for charities, and the UK Government as the Special Advisor to the Scottish Affairs Committees Inquiry into Problem Drug Use in Scotland. In addition she has been on a range of advisory committees in Scotland, is the secretary to the Scottish Cross Party on Medicinal Cannabis, set up the Scottish Drug Policy Conversations: a multi-stakeholder deliberative group exploring drug policy issues in Scotland, and is co-founder of the Scottish Cannabis Consortium.

Anna Ross has over 20 years experiences of practitioner work with substance use, including cannabis, and identifies as a lived and living experienced researcher. She is passionate about the human rights based approaches to drug regulation, and the developing research around cannabis use for therapeutic and medicinal application, as well as the potential of psychedelic assisted therapy.

 

Medical cannabis - what you need to know: Edinburgh image

Lisa Quarrell

Mum of a medical cannabis patient

Lisa Quarrell is a medical cannabis campaigner, fighting to access medical cannabis on the NHS. Her son Cole Thomson has treatment resistant epilepsy, and in 2019 he almost died as a result of his epilepsy, and lack of adequate knowledge and medication from the NHS consultant responsible. Cole’s consultants recommended that the only option for him was further invasive brain surgery.

Lisa, an ex Police Officer in Police Scotland, investigated alternatives to the brain surgery, and discovered that cannabis, in particular Bedrolite cannabis produced by the Dutch company Bedrocan, was being successfully prescribed in Europe to children with a similar condition. Lisa was forced to smuggle Bedrolite into the UK to treat her son, who as a result of the medicine, has remained almost seizure free for over 3 years.

Lisa has been involved in multiple advisory commissions, was awarded Patient Advocate of the Year 2019 from the Cannabis Awards, is an active member of the Scottish Cross Party Group on Medicinal Cannabis, and was instrumental in getting the Scottish Parliamentary motion to debate medical cannabis in the Scottish Parliament.

Supporter information

This event has been made possible by unrestricted educational grant funding from our supporters.

Tickets

Clinicians who sign up to become members at the event will receive £10 off the usual £90 per year Society membership fee – making attendance at this event free of charge.

Students are eligible for £5 tickets – please email contact@ukmccs.org from your University email address to obtain a discount code.

Organiser

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society
View Organiser Website

Venue

Radisson Blu Hotel
80 High Street
Edinburgh, EH1 1TH United Kingdom
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