Since the foundation of NORML UK with other cannabis activists in May 2012, NORML UK Medical Director, Tina Mendes, has been working on projects alone dealing with requests for help and guidance.

Last year she worked with Mike Reed, a solicitor in Wales, on a project previously discussed to see if they could achieve a medical defence for patients in the UK. A few FOI requests were made to various governmental organisations. This is all still on-going.

It was then decided to create a medical team consisting of Admin, Legal & Non Legal advisors, Patient Liaison, Media, Research & Harm Reduction and Organisations Outreach. The purpose of this was to spread the work load. By November 2012 the NORML UK Medical Team had been formed and is now in place ready to help and guide when necessary.

The Medical Team:-

• Medical Team Director – Tina Mendes
• Legal Advisors & Non legal advisors – Tina Mendes Co-ordinator
• Administration – Jo Moss
• Media – Greg De Hoedt & Cannabis Truth
• Graphics – Cannabis Truth
• Organisations Outreach – Andy Bishop
• Research & Harm Reduction – Matt Aldridge, Toby Denney
• Patient Liaison- Terri Malaika, Neil Deakin

The Medical Team has agreed upon their Mission Statement & Statement of Purpose, and we have established a solid foundation to meet the aims and objectives contained therein.

Toward the end of 2012 the team helped with medical scientific evidence to be produced, for a medical cannabis case. Throughout the process of finding a solicitor and going through court, the patient and their family were supported and guided by the Medical Team.

The team also researches scientific evidence for patients specific conditions to give to their medical professional, and will offer guidance with this. We have also been asked by patients on how they can best educate their families on medical cannabis, these requests are often urgent requiring the medical team to work closely together to deliver the information expeditiously.

The Medical Team are currently seeking advice from Tom Lloyd, former Chief Constable for Cambridgeshire to ascertain which is the best way to approach the police/CPS with regard to medical cannabis patients becoming a non-priority for prosecution. The team is also working on a variety of information leaflets including medical testimonials, cannabis psychosis (dispelling the myths) and harm reduction.

As Medical Director, Tina Mendes has been in contact with a range of non-governmental organisations and individuals including LEAP, Paul Flynn, Tom Lloyd, Mat Southwell and Prof Pertwee. We will be asking for support from these people to help get cannabis recognised as a medicine and to ask them to support patients who consume cannabis as such.

We ask our supporters and members who consume cannabis as a medicine to please contact us medical@norml-uk.org if you would like us to utilise your written testimonial on the medical leaflets. If you would like the media team to contact you, for an audio or video recording of your medical testimonial this is also possible, please contact greg@]norml-uk.org

Please feel free to contact us with any ideas you may have, or if you would like further information or support.