A UK council is one of the first of its kind to protect medical cannabis patients from discrimination, including difficulties with both landlords and crime enforcers.
Flintshire in North Wales has become the first Welsh authority to approve the motion which allows users – specifically council tenants and staff – to take their prescribed medicines indoors, without having to use smoking areas.
It also seeks to remove ambiguity over illegal cannabis use by protecting patients who will be able to show their prescription to claim an exemption.
Staff who are cracking down on illegal users are also expected to be empowered by the measures when responding to complaints.
The council, which backed the motion last month, will also be working with partners including North Wales Police to improve awareness and training around medical cannabis.
The proposal was instigated by councillor David Coggins Cogan, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, who put together the motion in line with the Equality Act 2010, with CBPM patient David Case, who helped get a similar motion passed in Salford.
He said:
“This is not about creating new rights. These rights exist in law. It’s not about creating separate rooms in buildings. It is about creating safe indoor spaces through education, understanding and tolerance.”
“This motion educates ourselves, our communities and our partner organisations about the stigma around a legally prescribed medication. It lets patients know that this authority, which is sometimes described as ‘pale, male and stale’, has their backs over something which can be seen as controversial.”
The motion’s executive summary explained prior to being approved set out:
“Flintshire County Council is urged to recognise and support the rights of Cannabis-Based Products For Medicinal Use (CBPM) patients by designating safe indoor spaces for CBPM use, providing awareness training for council staff and law enforcement, and ensuring Equality Act compliance in council policies.”
“This includes informing landlords and housing associations about legal CBPM use to prevent discrimination against tenants. By addressing these needs, Flintshire can uphold legal protections and ensure fair treatment for CBPM users in line with the Equality Act.”
A senior member of the police force said of the council-backed motion:
“It has made me think about how we can educate our staff about CBPMs (Cannabis-Based Products For Medicinal Use).”
“I think it would be both fair and accurate to say that our exposure to CBPMs has thus far been limited to general awareness about their legality. I will start a discussion with our controlled drugs liaison officer to see what guidance and material may already be available to law enforcement agencies.”
To learn more about conditions which can be treated by medical cannabis and your eligibility please find more information on the Lyphe clinic website.
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