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NEWS THE UK’S FIRST MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC OPENS PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS MAY COST AS MUCH AS £700 PER MONTH The UK’s first medical cannabis clinic has opened in Greater Manchester. The Medical Cannabis Clinic operates from The Beeches private health centre beside Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Stockport. Patients pay £250 for a consultation, with prescriptions costing between £600 and £700 a month. Renowned medical cannabis expert Professor Mike Barnes serves as clinical director. In July 2018, Professor Barnes supported the successful application for Alfie Dingley to obtain cannabis oil. On the opening of this facility, Professor Barnes said: “The legalisation of prescription cannabis has given people with chronic illnesses hope; the next step is to ensure the availability of medical cannabis to offer those without other alternatives the treatment they need.” Only a handful of people have been prescribed medical cannabis in the UK since the law was changed, creating what some reform activists have referred to as a ‘two-tier’ system. Fibromyalgia sufferer Carly Barton received a private prescription from Dr McDowell in December, one month after the Home The clinic was set up by European Cannabis Holdings. The group Secretary Sajid David gave the green light to legalisation. plans to open a Birmingham clinic and a flagship Harley Street clinic in the summer. Ms Barton said: Chief operating officer, Hannah Simon, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the establishment of the Medical Cannabis Clinics in the UK.” 18 – Professor Mike Barnes VAPOUROUND CBD MAGAZINE “In terms of money this is going to cost me everything I have, so two-and-a-half grand for three months’ supply. The reason I’m putting this on the line is I feel this is a route to getting an NHS prescription.” “Patients suffering from chronic pain and other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions have been crying out for this kind of life- changing treatment. This clinic will represent a lifeline to those who have found other treatments ineffective.” The practice is led by pain management specialist, Dr David McDowell, who wrote the first UK cannabis prescription in December last year. "Patients suffering from chronic pain and other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions have been crying out for this kind of life-changing treatment”