SOMAÍ: Advancing Medical Cannabis in the UK
The landscape of medical cannabis in the UK is evolving, yet misconceptions and stigma persist, hindering patient access and progress in the healthcare sector.
While there are 29.6 million people in the UK (50.2%) who could potentially benefit from a medical cannabis prescription, only 0.48% have received one and shockingly, there are still 16.5 million people who wrongly believe medical cannabis is illegal.
To combat this misconception, public education campaigns and professional training programmes are essential to dispel myths and promote informed decision-making.
By supporting patients with chronic pain and anxiety disorders, which affect 28 million and 8 million adults respectively, we can alleviate the burden on the NHS and empower individuals to manage symptoms effectively at home.
Medical cannabis is unlocking potential in other nations
Germany serves as a compelling model for the UK to emulate in its approach to medical cannabis. By following Germany’s lead, the UK can mitigate harm for individuals and boost economic revenue.
Recent data reveals that a staggering £3.57 billion was spent on illegally sourced cannabis for self-medication in the UK in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory reform and evidence-based policies.
As the medical cannabis industry continues to evolve, collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking are paramount to realising its full potential in improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare worldwide.
It is so great to see this starting to happen in the US where a new, fully unredacted report has been published by the department of Health and Human services (HSS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommending cannabis is removed from Schedule 1, currently limiting its use similar to other narcotics like heroin and LSD.
This rescheduling in the US, alongside the HSS report and Germany’s partial decriminalisation forms a cannabis trifecta that is set to change how medical cannabis is viewed around the world.
By learning from these international best practices, and those happening in Germany, and embracing technological innovations, the UK can lead the charge towards a more accessible, effective, and compassionate healthcare system for all.
SOMAÍ seeks to enable the enhancement of healthcare through cannabis
SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals is at the forefront of meeting the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in the medical cannabis sector.
Specialising in the extraction, research, development, formulation, and distribution of EU GMP-pharmaceutical market-authorised cannabinoid products, SOMAÍ is dedicated to revolutionising healthcare through cannabis-based treatments.
SOMAÍ has over 86 stabilized extracted SKUs and is continuously manufacturing new advanced product lines monthly for cannabis markets worldwide.
Amidst the evolving landscape of medical cannabis, several notable innovations and broader challenges warrant attention to provide context beyond individual company endeavours.
From advancements in cannabinoid research and formulations to ongoing regulatory complexities and patient access disparities, the medical cannabis industry is navigating a multifaceted terrain.
At SOMAÍ, our mission extends beyond merely treating diseases – we envision a world where individuals lead healthy lifestyles empowered by natural cannabis medicine.
By formulating a diverse range of medications tailored to meet the needs of chronic patients with different conditions, we strive to enhance patient comfort and quality of life.
Our partnerships with leading medical cannabis brands and advanced manufacturing capabilities ensure that patients have access to the best treatment options available.
Additionally, ethical considerations regarding the commercialisation of cannabis-based treatments and the need for robust clinical evidence further underscore the complexity of integrating medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare practices.
As stakeholders across the industry strive to address these challenges and foster responsible innovation, collaborative efforts and evidence-based policymaking are essential to ensure the safe, equitable, and effective utilisation of medical cannabis for patients in need.
Through strategic partnerships and investments, SOMAÍ is driving innovation in technology and supply chain management to improve patient access and product quality.
By leveraging advanced cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution assets across our 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art indoor cultivation facility located in Sintra, Portugal, SOMAÍ is well-positioned to cater to the diverse needs of the rapidly growing European cannabis markets.
These initiatives underscore our commitment to advancing medical cannabis and enhancing patient care on a global scale.
Byline: Michael Sassano, SOMAÍ CEO
