Project TWENTY21 is set to become the United Kingdom’s first national pilot study for medical cannabis. As many as 20,000 patients will be elected to enroll in the study before 2021 is up. 

Drug Science announced the commencement of the U.K. cannabis study at the end of June. A letter of intent was signed between Drug Science and CB2 Insights in July; CB2 is the chosen research technology platform for the medical cannabis pilot study.

The British drugs advisory committee was inaugurated in conjunction with the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies back in 2010. Since this time, the leading scientific body has been busy collaborating with cannabis industry groups and research institutions.

Drug Science is also known for hosting cannabis-focused events, such as the Drug Science Medical Cannabis Educational Seminar, which took place in London this July. In May, Drug Science formed the Drug Science Medical Cannabis Working Group in partnership with Acle Urban Gardens , Alta Flora, Althea, Beckley Canopy, Cannaray, Cannuba and Small Pharma.

“We are very excited to be working with Drug Science on of this potentially policy changing project,” said the CEO of Cannuba, Rob James. “The study will be a great opportunity to collate scientific, tangible statistics for medical cannabis. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of meaningful scientific research taking place in the UK.”

U.K. cannabis study will utilize real world data from patient registry

In order to draw up the most accurate insight into the safety, efficacy and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with medicinal cannabis consumption, Drug Science is delving into real-time patient data.

The team will explore patient reports to determine the suitability of prescribing weed as a harm reduction strategy for cannabis use disorder, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis (MS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Tourette’s syndrome and substance use disorder .

The potential of cannabis as a harm reduction strategy for prison populations will also be explored in this U.K. cannabis study. The Drug Science Group’s main aim is to establish strategies that will simplify and broaden patient access to the plant in the U.K.

“It is not often that a drug enters the market ahead of well established, widely held consensus on the health impact related to that drug,” said the CEO of Drug Science, David Badcock.

“Project TWENTY21 has been designed to remove the barriers that come with a lack of evidence-based data so that physicians can become more confident, the industry can become more informed and patients can have access where and when cannabinoid treatment is appropriate. We believe that will change the landscape in the UK medical cannabis field, and this partnership with CB2 Insights advances that effort in a major way.”

Study to bolster progress for medical cannabis regulation in the U.K.

Once the first medical cannabis pilot study is executed in the U.K., Drug Science will use their information to trigger the establishment of a regulatory system for the British cannabis market. Their results will strengthen the applications that Drug Science intends on sending out to local health authorities for the regulation of medical cannabis.

The British government made cannabis illegal on September 28, 1928. Fortunately for cannabis advocates, there are many signs pointing to the possibility of the Class B drug being rescheduled. Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced on October 18, from November 1, 2018, doctors can legally start prescribing weed-based medicines to patients throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

In spite of the fact that cannabis remains an illegal substance under the British Government’s ruling, a recent poll carried out by YouGuv indicates a “growing appetite” for legal weed in the U.K. Four in ten British voters – 40 percent – support legal weed in the U.K., whereas 24 percent support decriminalization of the drug, a further 27 percent support cannabis legalization and nine percent don’t have an opinion on the subject.