Grow Pharma and Integro Medical Clinics are set to expand their flagship medical cannabis access program to all UK university students.
Citing a rise in mental health issues among students, the expansion of the access scheme aims to lower the prices of access to medical cannabis for this largely low-income demographic, in what it described as a ‘massive missed opportunity’.
Unlike other groups that the ‘Grow Access Project’ (GAP) has expanded to recently, including Blue Light Card holders, the clinics have taken extra precautions to establish a risk protocol for younger recipients in an effort to ensure patient safety.
“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,” Integro’s clinical lead and specialist pain consultant, Dr Sunny Nayee, said.
Grow has a long history of offering affordable access to medical cannabis in the UK, launching what was initially known as the The Grow Open Access Initiative in 2020.
Aimed at providing an accessible route for UK citizens on benefits and armed forces veterans and shifting these demographics away from the illicit market, the scheme has expanded and developed over recent years.
Last month, the now rebranded GAP program was extended to include Blue Light Card holders, dramatically widening eligibility to include an estimated 3.5m card holders.
The Blue Light Card is the UK’s foremost discount provider for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, and armed forces.
Now, recognising the ‘massive missed opportunity’ of the often underrepresented and largely low-income student demographic, GAP has expanded to include all UK university students, estimated to include over 2m people.
Eligible participants will be able to get a free first appointment, lower repeat prescription costs, and discounted products on a select range of medicines.
This enables them to find out if they are approved for a cannabis prescription, what their first prescription will be and how much it will cost before incurring any fees.
Furthermore, GAP will not be limited to student with mental health issues, but will be available to all suffering from chronic pain and a number of neurological conditions.
According to a 2023 systematic search of 18 papers related to psychoactive drug use in university students in the UK and Ireland, illicit cannabis use among students is rife.
One such survey of 2810 students in the UK in 2018 reported that 56% of respondents had used drugs, 94% of which said used cannabis.
While its difficult to determine what percentage of students are using cannabis to self-medicate, it’s clear that this demographic is underrepresented in terms of medical cannabis prescriptions.
According to a survey by Integro Medical Clinics, it was found that under-25s account for less than 8% of their patients.
Further research from UCAS showed a 450% increase in mental health declarations from students over the past decade, while 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).
However, despite students who report feeling increasing pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis and an increasing workload post-covid, few are able to afford medical cannabis prescriptions.
Because of the UK’s student loan system, students are ineligible to receive state benefits, meaning access schemes that determine a participant’s financial needs based on their receipt of benefits are also ineligible for discounts.
With mental health issues on the rise and NHS waiting lists for treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) rising even more quickly, Grow believes not enough is being done to support the mental health of young people.
Marcus, a 22-year-old studying a BA in Economics at UCL University, said: “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.
Alongside a lack of access is a lack of knowledge that medical cannabis is even available, meaning the cohort of students using cannabis to self-medicate are feeding the illicit market.
This presents a raft of issues beyond funding criminality, opening up students to the risk of criminal prosecution, and purchasing adulterated or much stronger cannabis.
Dr Nayee continued: “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.”
The post Grow and Integro Clinics Expand Medical Cannabis Access Scheme to Include All UK University Students appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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Citing a rise in mental health issues among students, the expansion of the access scheme aims to lower the prices of access to medical cannabis for this largely low-income demographic, in what it described as a ‘massive missed opportunity’.
Unlike other groups that the ‘Grow Access Project’ (GAP) has expanded to recently, including Blue Light Card holders, the clinics have taken extra precautions to establish a risk protocol for younger recipients in an effort to ensure patient safety.
“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,” Integro’s clinical lead and specialist pain consultant, Dr Sunny Nayee, said.
What does the scheme offer?
Grow has a long history of offering affordable access to medical cannabis in the UK, launching what was initially known as the The Grow Open Access Initiative in 2020.
Aimed at providing an accessible route for UK citizens on benefits and armed forces veterans and shifting these demographics away from the illicit market, the scheme has expanded and developed over recent years.
Last month, the now rebranded GAP program was extended to include Blue Light Card holders, dramatically widening eligibility to include an estimated 3.5m card holders.
The Blue Light Card is the UK’s foremost discount provider for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, and armed forces.
Now, recognising the ‘massive missed opportunity’ of the often underrepresented and largely low-income student demographic, GAP has expanded to include all UK university students, estimated to include over 2m people.
Eligible participants will be able to get a free first appointment, lower repeat prescription costs, and discounted products on a select range of medicines.
This enables them to find out if they are approved for a cannabis prescription, what their first prescription will be and how much it will cost before incurring any fees.
Furthermore, GAP will not be limited to student with mental health issues, but will be available to all suffering from chronic pain and a number of neurological conditions.
Why students?
According to a 2023 systematic search of 18 papers related to psychoactive drug use in university students in the UK and Ireland, illicit cannabis use among students is rife.
One such survey of 2810 students in the UK in 2018 reported that 56% of respondents had used drugs, 94% of which said used cannabis.
While its difficult to determine what percentage of students are using cannabis to self-medicate, it’s clear that this demographic is underrepresented in terms of medical cannabis prescriptions.
According to a survey by Integro Medical Clinics, it was found that under-25s account for less than 8% of their patients.
Further research from UCAS showed a 450% increase in mental health declarations from students over the past decade, while 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).
However, despite students who report feeling increasing pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis and an increasing workload post-covid, few are able to afford medical cannabis prescriptions.
Because of the UK’s student loan system, students are ineligible to receive state benefits, meaning access schemes that determine a participant’s financial needs based on their receipt of benefits are also ineligible for discounts.
With mental health issues on the rise and NHS waiting lists for treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) rising even more quickly, Grow believes not enough is being done to support the mental health of young people.
Marcus, a 22-year-old studying a BA in Economics at UCL University, said: “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.
A legal route
Alongside a lack of access is a lack of knowledge that medical cannabis is even available, meaning the cohort of students using cannabis to self-medicate are feeding the illicit market.
This presents a raft of issues beyond funding criminality, opening up students to the risk of criminal prosecution, and purchasing adulterated or much stronger cannabis.
Dr Nayee continued: “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.”
The post Grow and Integro Clinics Expand Medical Cannabis Access Scheme to Include All UK University Students appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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