A step towards legalising cannabis? NHS to test the first ever marijuana-based vaporiser to relieve pain

By SHIVALI BEST and KATE PICKLES FOR MAINLINE

Aug. 16, 2016

• The MediPen is already legal in the UK and went on sale last year
• It gives users the beneficial health effects of cannabis without the high
• A detailed public report is set to reveal that the NHS will trial the pen
• It could help relieve the symptoms multiple sclerosis, and has even been shown to slow down cancer, Parkinson's disease and dementia

In May, a study revealed that e-cigarettes or vaporisers can produce the health boost of cannabis without getting users high.

The method - dubbed 'cannavaping' - avoids inhaling significant amounts of toxic contaminants.

Now, the NHS may be testing its first-ever cannabis-based vaporiser, called MediPen, which some say may pave the way for legalisation of marijuana in the UK.

The first legal cannnabis vaporiser, called MediPen, went on sale in the UK last year. It eliminates the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gets people high. Now the NHS could be trialing the system to help relieve pain in conditions such as multiple sclerosis

Marijuana can be prescribed for medical reasons in the UK, along with 17 other European countries.

In the US, there are estimated to be more than 2,600,000 medical marijuana users. 

It is said to help relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and has even been shown to slow down cancer, Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Dr Vincent Varlet, of the University Centre of Legal Medicine, Lausanne, said: 'Safer and healthier alternatives for consuming cannabis have been proposed to minimise the risks associated with the inhalation of toxic pyrolytic by products.

'Vaporisation conducted at less than combustion temperatures is one of the best recommended alternative methods to cannabis smoking.

'A vaporiser heats the cannabis plant material at a moderate temperature, causing the active cannabinoids to evaporate into an aerosol that contains far fewer harmful components.' 

The first legal cannnabis vaporiser, called MediPen, went on sale in the UK last year.  A starter kit costs around £50 ($64). 

Cannabinoids - chemicals from the plant which are said to have a range of benefits - are extracted to make concentrated hash oil in an e-liquid

Its creators say the device contains a respectable dose of Cannabidiol, an active ingredient in the cannabis plant with a vast array of health benefits.

The pen, which contains coconut oil, eliminates the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gets people high.  

The NHS is now looking into usage of the MediPen, a detailed public report of which is 'on the way.'

Speaking to The Independent, Jordan Owen, managing director of MediPen, said: 'We've recently been working very closely with a team of NHS production and regulatory support pharmacists who've been able to meticulously analyse our formulation for both safety and cannabinoid concentration.

The method - dubbed 'cannavaping' - avoids inhaling significant amounts of toxic contaminants 

'As the UK's industry leading consumer cannabis biotechnology company, we're excited to have set a new benchmark in providing a much-needed sense of legitimacy to the UK's rapidly growing legal cannabis industry.'

The NHS is not able to comment on the claims, due to a non-disclosure agreement.

Many people have called for cannabis to be legalised in the UK, and this could be a small step towards that.

George Murkin, a policy and communications officer at Transform, told The Independent: 'Responsible legal control of drug markets is increasingly being explored around the world, in preference to prohibition, and about half the UK now back cannabis law reform.'

Details on how the NHS might introduce the MediPen are expected to be included in the public report.  

CANNABIS VAPORISER SET TO GO ON SALE IN THE US

CannaKorp has developed what is being hailed the 'Keurig for weed' – a vaporiser that releases marijuana from single-serving pods.

Users place the cannabis filled pod of their choice in the CannaCloud, push a button and within a minute, can pull the vaporiser out and 'enjoy a convenient and efficient vapor'.

CannaKorp is the brainchild of Michael Bourque, who said it stemmed from an awkward experience purchasing marijuana from 'a guy that looked like ZZ Top' in the middle of a parking lot.

Users place the cannabis filled pod of their choice in the CannaCloud, push a button and within a minute can pull the vaporiser out and 'enjoy a convenient and efficient vapor'

Users place the cannabis filled pod of their choice in the CannaCloud, push a button and within a minute can pull the vaporiser out and 'enjoy a convenient and efficient vapor'.

CannaCloud is designed with a hygienic, one-way valve that can be easily detached for cleaning – and is dishwasher safe.

It uses a micro processor to control the system for optimal performance and 'a great experience, including temperature, speed, time and air pressure.'

Users can choose through various strains for their CannaCups such as sativa, indica, hybrid, and CBD-only strains.

Each pod is pre-ground cannabis flower that is sealed for locked in flavor, aroma and freshness.

Read Review:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/medipen-the-nhs-are-testing-a-cannabis-product-vaporiser-for-the-first-time-a7191511.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3742930/A-step-legalising-cannabis-NHS-test-marijuana-based-vaporiser-relieve-pain.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490