Politicians and pot smokers hold marijuana tea party in London

Sparking change — MPs and protestors descend on Parliament to demand the legalisation of medical marijuana in Britain.

Politicians addressing a crowd outside the Houses of Parliament is usually nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, if anything, it’s quite a dull proposition – almost run of the mill. But at yesterday’s Patients at Parliament Protest called by the United Patience Alliance, there was a waft of something a little different in the air.

Taking a seat at a table laid for a traditional British tea was Labour MP Paul Flynn, an active campaigner and advocate for the legalisation of medical marijuana in the United Kingdom. “On Tuesday 10th October I will present a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to re-legalise the natural medicine of Cannabis,” Flynn explained to Huck. “The Bill would provide for the supply, possession and use of this medicine to alleviate the pain of millions across the UK suffering from painful and degenerative illnesses.” Outside the Commons, he was joined by Labour colleague Tonia Antoniazzi and Liberal Democrat Layla Moran.

“It would not extend to the use of Cannabis for recreational purposes. Natural cannabis is well-evidenced in treating a range of ailments, including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and some of the worst side-effects of chemotherapy.”

Ten-Minute Rule Bills very rarely make it far in the legislative process – certainly not when they’re directly in opposition to national policy positions at the highest level. But speaking in the House of Commons provides an opportunity to draw attention, and with backing from other MPs including the Green’s Caroline Lucas and Labour’s Laura Pidcock, there’s clearly others in Westminster willing to show their support. Flynn accused the government of having an “evidence” free approach to the criminalisation of cannabis.

Back outside, activists sparked up joints and chatted proudly to the assembled media, explaining to reporters that Britain is lagging behind its international neighbours. 29 out of the 50 states within the USA now have provision for the supply of medicinal cannabis. It has been legalised in Canada, and medicinal cannabis is also widely available across Europe, for example in The Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Switzerland and Germany.

Campaigners and researchers say marijuana has significant medicinal uses – whether in treating PTSD, anxiety, depression or other mental and physical illnesses, and a recent poll conducted of Members of Parliament found a majority of  MPs support making it available for patients for treatment. The United Patience Alliance, who called yesterday’s action, point to research by practising Consultant of Neurology, Professor Mike Barnes, who completed an analysis of the 2000 best and highest quality medical and scientific research and trial publications and has graded the efficacy of cannabis against a number of conditions.

Paul Flynn MP

Paul Flynn MP

He found there is good evidence for marijuana being effective in treating chronic pain, including neuropathic pain; spasticity; nausea and vomiting (especially from chemotherapy) and in the management of anxiety. Professor Barnes found moderate evidence for sleep disorders; appetite stimulation; fibromyalgia; post-traumatic stress disorder; and for some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease Some evidence for benefits in the management of agitation in dementia; epilepsy; bladder dysfunction; glaucoma; and Tourette’s syndrome was also found.

Yesterday’s bill reading is highly unlikely to become binding legislation, but there’s almost definitely a smell of change blowing in the wind.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

 


Ad

Latest on Huck

Crowd of silhouetted people at a nighttime event with colourful lighting and a bright spotlight on stage.
Music

Clubbing is good for your health, according to neuroscientists

We Become One — A new documentary explores the positive effects that dance music and shared musical experiences can have on the human brain.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Indoor skate park with ramps, riders, and abstract architectural elements in blue, white, and black tones.
Sport

In England’s rural north, skateboarding is femme

Zine scene — A new project from visual artist Juliet Klottrup, ‘Skate Like a Lass’, spotlights the FLINTA+ collectives who are redefining what it means to be a skater.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Black-and-white image of two men in suits, with the text "EVERYTHING IS COMPUTER" in large bright yellow letters overlaying the image.
Culture

Donald Trump says that “everything is computer” – does he have a point?

Huck’s March dispatch — As AI creeps increasingly into our daily lives and our attention spans are lost to social media content, newsletter columnist Emma Garland unpicks the US President’s eyebrow-raising turn of phrase at a White House car show.

Written by: Emma Garland

A group of people, likely children, sitting around a table surrounded by various comic books, magazines, and plates of food.
© Michael Jang
Culture

How the ’70s radicalised the landscape of photography

The ’70s Lens — Half a century ago, visionary photographers including Nan Goldin, Joel Meyerowitz and Larry Sultan pushed the envelope of what was possible in image-making, blurring the boundaries between high and low art. A new exhibition revisits the era.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Silhouette of person on horseback against orange sunset sky, with electricity pylon in foreground.
Culture

The inner-city riding club serving Newcastle’s youth

Stepney Western — Harry Lawson’s new experimental documentary sets up a Western film in the English North East, by focusing on a stables that also functions as a charity for disadvantaged young people.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Couple sitting on ground in book-filled environment
Culture

The British intimacy of ‘the afters’

Not Going Home — In 1998, photographer Mischa Haller travelled to nightclubs just as their doors were shutting and dancers streamed out onto the streets, capturing the country’s partying youth in the early morning haze.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to stay informed from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, with personal takes on the state of media and pop culture in your inbox every month from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.