Medical cannabis to be discounted for Disabled UK University students
The Grow Access Project, a medical cannabis accessibility scheme launched in 2022, is to be expanded to include UK University students following rise in student mental health issues.
Launched in June 2022 by Grow Pharma and Integro Medical Clinics, the Grow Access Project to reduces economic barriers to medical cannabis treatment for many patient groups. At first this included those receiving means-tested benefits, before being extended to British Veterans, and then to Blue Light Card holders more recently. The GAP is now being expanded further to include all UK University Students, in a bid to support their mental health and to tackle the associated dangers of illegal cannabis.
Why Students?
In 2024, the associated influences on student mental health include the cost-of-living crisis, workload pressures, and the needs of diverse students such as disabled students.
As a result of the student loan system, UK Students don’t qualify for benefits (with some exceptions). However, current Medical Cannabis access schemes use benefits to identify low income. NHS access is limited, and many students would be likely to struggle to pay for private clinic appointments and medicines. The Grow Access Project aims to reduce that burden for those who are eligible for prescribed medical cannabis.
UCAS has reported a 450% increase in mental health declarations from students over the past decade. A survey by the mental health charity Student Minds reported that 1 in 3 have poor mental wellbeing, according to the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). 1
As these issues become more common, or more often reported, it’s evident that not enough is being done to support the mental health of young people in the UK.
The NHS has struggled to cope with the current state of mental health services in the UK, as well as the current scale of mental health issues. Waiting lists for CBT and other therapies are many months or years long. Student mental health services are similarly overwhelmed, with staffing issues causing delays and missed urgent issues.
Marcus, a 22yo studying a BA in Economics at UCL University highlights the challenges he faces affording a cannabis prescription:
“I am prescribed medical cannabis for my CPTSD, anxiety and ADHD. I wouldn’t have been able to finish my degree without medical cannabis as it is one of the very few medicines that do not make my mental health worse.
“Affording my prescription and consultations was challenging until I was able to use an access scheme. Before that I had to work additional hours to help pay for my prescription.
“I truly believe including students in the Grow Access Project will really help a lot of people who are using cannabis illicitly to self-medicate their mental health.
“My friends at university were surprised you can get cannabis prescribed in the UK. I think those who might benefit are often deterred because they assume it will be expensive. “
Going Legal?
Unfortunately, many students are still unaware that the law was changed in 2018 to allow prescribing of cannabis medicines via private clinics. The extension of the GAP will ensure that students who are using illegal cannabis for health reasons will be able to access a legal and regulated prescription medication.
Many students “self-medicate” using illegal cannabis during their time at university. The associated harms of illegal cannabis include vulnerability to criminal suppliers of drugs, the possibility of being sold adulterated forms of cannabis, as well as the opportunity to buy stronger drugs.
This would also protect students from being involved in criminal activity. Finding a source for illegal cannabis in a new area can be dangerous, especially for young women. Young adults on average are more likely to buy and consume illegal drugs but may not know how to manage dangerous situations and be less able to appreciate the long-term implications. Those caught breaking the law risk being kicked off their course, evicted from university accommodation, and having a mark on their permanent record that could impact the rest of their lives, making it hard to find work and limiting their options for travelling abroad.
Dr Sunny Nayee is a specialist pain consultant and Clinical Lead at Integro Medical Clinics:
“To be absolutely clear. We are not suggesting that all students should consume cannabis. We are striving to help those who are eligible – who have a pre-existing diagnosed condition – by providing a lower cost option.
“One of the key differences between the cannabis they might source illegally, and that which is prescribed, is that we can offer a variety of less potent options whereas, generally speaking, all they can access illegally is the super strong stuff that people call ‘skunk’.
“If they do get a prescription, they are monitored closely by our clinic team.
“We believe that those who are eligible will be safer and have more positive outcomes with a pharmaceutically regulated medicine at a controlled dose, with the care and clinical oversight we provide. Ultimately, this is harm reduction for those already consuming something illegal and another option for those for whom little else has eased their suffering or distress.”
Those who qualify will be able to get a free first appointment, and lower costs on repeat prescriptions going forward. The Grow Access Project also offers a discounted price on a select range of medicines.
The free initial consultation means eligible patients can find out if they are approved for a cannabis prescription, what they have been prescribed for their first month and how much it will cost before any costs are incurred.
“As someone with a conviction for cannabis, I spend my time with PatientsCann campaigning to create awareness so that others’ lives aren’t impacted like mine. The GAP extending to students will make it easier for them to afford the medication they need and help them avoid the risks of criminality”
– Mohammed Wasway of PatientsCann, a leading UK Cannabis Patient Advocacy Group.
The GAP will not be limited to students with mental health issues, it will also be available to those with chronic pain as well as those with symptoms of neurological conditions. It’s not a pre-requisite to have consumed illegal cannabis before either. According to Integro Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Angeleki Papastefanou, “Quite a lot of our patients have never touched cannabis before and are shocked to find out how helpful it can be for their symptoms”.
If popular, The GAP could help take the strain off NHS and student mental health services.
“We expect there are a great many students out there already using cannabis for medical reasons who perhaps aren’t aware of the option to have it legally prescribed, or for whom it was previously unaffordable.
“There’s a great deal of stigma in just talking about young people and cannabis but we don’t have a problem with prescribing opiates or anti-depressants to these individuals. Cannabis is just another medicine. We are proud to be making access more affordable for those in need.”
–Alex Fraser, Crohn’s Patient and Patient Access Lead at UK cannabis distributor and pharmacy Grow Pharma.
Integro Clinics is a virtual Medical Cannabis clinic based in the UK. They currently are the highest-rated UK cannabis clinic on Trustpilot, known for their focus on excellent levels of service. Integro have recently held their second in-person patient conference, this time in Glasgow, and hope to run more in future. They have also recently launched an International Service (the first of it’s kind), which allows travellers to access medical cannabis when visiting the UK.
