leafie

THC levels in body are "unreliable" indicators of driving impairment - leafie New research challenges the use of biological testing to detect cannabis-related driving impairment, finding that THC concentrations in blood, saliva and breath show weak or non-existent correlations with actual driving performance.

New research challenges the use of biological testing to detect cannabis-related driving impairment, finding that THC concentrations in blood, saliva and breath show weak or non-existent correlations with actual driving performance.

Has the Green Party become the best chance for UK cannabis reform? The Green Party now has a bold and ambitious leader in place who isn’t afraid to shake the status quo – with Zack Polanski, the pro-cannabis party is already grabbing media attention. Could a noisy new Greens amplify the message around legalisation?

Congratulations to the Green Party for their win in Gorton and Denton. Just a reminder from leafie that a vote for the Greens is a vote for cannabis reform, including the right to grow your own plants at home. 💚

Cannabis use in adolescence linked with risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders, major study finds - leafie A large-scale study has found that teenagers who use cannabis go on to have more than double the risk of developing serious mental health conditions in early adulthood.

A large-scale study has found that teenagers who use cannabis go on to have more than double the risk of developing serious mental health conditions in early adulthood.

Law enforcement organisation criticises Starmer over attacks on drug reform - leafie An organisation of former law enforcement officials has criticised the Prime Minister and other Labour ministers for attacking ‘urgently needed’ drug reform.

An organisation of former law enforcement officials has criticised the Prime Minister and other Labour ministers for attacking ‘urgently needed’ drug reform.

Most cannabis users are 'non-problematic', Canadian data shows - leafie New research from the University of Montreal reveals that most adults who use cannabis do so safely, suggesting that research and public health initiatives should not solely focus on risk and dependency.

New research from the University of Montreal reveals that most adults who use cannabis do so safely, suggesting that research and public health initiatives should not solely focus on risk and dependency.

Keep Kanna and carry on – a deep dive into nature's MDMA - leafie Kanna, or Sceletium tortuosum to use its botanical name, is an indigenous plant medicine that's earned the moniker Nature’s MDMA. Can it offer the same buzz without the dreaded comedown? David Hillier takes a bump for the team to find out.

Kanna, or Sceletium tortuosum to use its botanical name, is an indigenous plant medicine that's earned the moniker Nature’s MDMA. Can it offer the same buzz without the dreaded comedown? David Hillier takes a bump for the team to find out.

Ask Umesh: What law am I breaking if I smoke my medical cannabis? - leafie If medical cannabis is legal, then how can smoking it break the law? Our resident pharmacist, Umesh, breaks down the distinctions.

Medical cannabis flowers are legally prescribed to be used with a vaporisation device, but what happens if a patient chooses to smoke their prescription instead? If medical cannabis is legal, then how can smoking it break the law?

Legalising cannabis reduces opioid use by people who inject drugs - leafie US states that introduced both medical and recreational cannabis laws saw measurable reductions in opioid misuse compared to states which hadn’t.

A Boston University School of Public Health study has found that US states which introduced both medical and recreational cannabis laws saw measurable reductions in opioid misuse compared to states which hadn’t.

Cannabis reform has not led to an increase in drug driving, German study finds - leafie New research comparing data from Germany and Austria reveals that the legalisation of cannabis has not led to a measurable rise in people driving under the influence of the drug.

New research comparing data from Germany and Austria reveals that the legalisation of cannabis has not led to a measurable rise in people driving under the influence of the drug.

Babies exposed to cannabis during pregnancy show ‘no difference’ in development, study shows - leafie A study tracking thousands of babies has found that those exposed to cannabis in the womb had fewer developmental delays in the first two years of life than their non-exposed peers, and no difference after three years.

A study tracking thousands of babies has found that those exposed to cannabis in the womb had fewer developmental delays in the first two years of life than their non-exposed peers, and no difference after three years.

The new clinic offers reduced fees and priority booking to patients facing lengthy NHS waiting times for pain, mental health and neurological conditions, while relaunching the GAP discount scheme.

Microdosing psilocybin could treat obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease - leafie Preclinical research involving mice suggests that very low doses of psilocybin could treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease through a liver-based mechanism distinct from the compound's psychedelic properties.

Preclinical research involving mice suggests that very low doses of psilocybin could treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease through a liver-based mechanism distinct from the compound's psychedelic properties.

Am I allowed to enjoy my medical cannabis prescription? - leafie Is medical cannabis allowed to be pleasurable? Or should it just be tolerated? What if the high is the medicine?

Is medical cannabis allowed to be pleasurable? Or should it just be tolerated like other pharmaceuticals to separate it from recreational use?

Many patients enjoy the effects of cannabis while finding relief from symptoms. What if the high is the medicine?

Reverse spin bias: Is science downplaying the benefits of cannabis? - leafie A number of studies find that cannabis has clear benefits for pain relief, but then refuse to recommend it as a treatment. The phenomenon, called "reverse spin bias" shows researchers are downplaying their own positive findings. Why?

A growing number of studies find that cannabis has clear benefits for pain relief, but then refuse to recommend it as a treatment. The phenomenon, called "reverse spin bias", shows researchers are downplaying their own positive findings. Why?

One in four adults in England living with chronic pain, NHS data shows - leafie New data from NHS England shows women and people in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by persistent pain, with significant impacts on employment and mental health.

New data from NHS England shows women and people in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by persistent pain, with significant impacts on employment and mental health.

Grenada decriminalises cannabis for adults over 21 - leafie The Caribbean country has passed legislation allowing possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis for adults over the age of 21, laying the groundwork for a regulated medical cannabis industry.

The Caribbean country has passed legislation allowing possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis for adults over the age of 21, laying the groundwork for a regulated medical cannabis industry.

The cannabis events you don’t want to miss in 2026 - leafie Across the UK and Europe you can find a wide range of conferences, festivals, expos and meet-ups to learn more about cannabis and connect with fellow enthusiasts. From London and Manchester to Berlin and Bilbao, here are some of the events leafie will be attending and supporting in 2026.

Across the UK and Europe, you can find a wide range of conferences, festivals, expos and meet-ups to learn more about cannabis and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Here are some of the events leafie will be attending and supporting in 2026.

Ask Umesh: Will the Daily Mail coverage of medical cannabis affect my prescription? - leafie Medical Cannabis was recently in the papers and patients are concerned. Our resident pharmacist, Umesh, discusses the facts behind the headlines.

Medical cannabis was recently in the headlines, leaving patients worried about the future of their prescriptions.

As part of his new column, our resident pharmacist, Umesh, discusses the facts behind the fear and outlines what impact the coverage might have.

Why are cannabis patients facing stigma from the NHS? - leafie Over seven years after legalisation, medical cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police. A leafie investigation has found that many patients also face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

7 years after legalisation, cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police.

A leafie investigation has found that many face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

Cannabis an effective treatment for migraine, first-of-its-kind study shows - leafie Vaporised cannabis containing both THC and CBD has been shown to reduce migraine symptoms for up to 48 hours in a world-first randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Vaporised cannabis containing both THC and CBD has been shown to reduce migraine symptoms for up to 48 hours in a world-first randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Patients with treatment-resistant depression respond to cannabis treatment, new study reports - leafie A two-year study of 698 patients with depression found improvements in mood, anxiety, sleep quality and overall health after treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products.

Cannabis can improve the conditions of people living with treatment-resistant depression, according to data from patients on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

Jersey and Guernsey pushing for cannabis law reform in the Channel Islands - leafie The two Crown Dependencies – which have already legalised medical cannabis access – are considering broader cannabis reforms ranging from decriminalisation to full legalisation.

The two Crown Dependencies – which have already legalised medical cannabis access – are considering broader cannabis reforms ranging from decriminalisation to full legalisation.

Why are cannabis patients facing stigma from the NHS? - leafie Over seven years after legalisation, medical cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police. A leafie investigation has found that many patients also face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

7 years after legalisation, cannabis patients still face unnecessary stigma from employers, landlords and even the police.

A leafie investigation has found that many face issues in the last place you would expect: while receiving healthcare from the NHS.

CBD reduces stress in transported fish, Scottish study finds - leafie Scientists discover that cannabis compound CBD could improve the welfare of more than one billion fish shipped each year globally.

The cannabis compound CBD can significantly reduce stress levels and stress-related behaviours in fish during transport, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

A few people in the UK aren’t getting arrested for cannabis and we should be angry about it, the Daily Mail says. - leafie EXCLUSIVE: A minute percentage of the population is being prescribed cannabis legally which is more important than all the terrible things Donald Trump is doing, according to the front page of the UK's worst newspaper.

EXCLUSIVE: A minute percentage of the population is being prescribed cannabis legally which is more important than all the terrible things Donald Trump is doing, according to the front page of the UK's worst newspaper.

Cannabis is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms, patients report - leafie Cannabis-based medicines improved pain, sleep, anxiety and quality of life in 497 fibromyalgia patients over 18 months, according to new data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

Cannabis-based medicines improved pain, sleep, anxiety and quality of life in 497 fibromyalgia patients over 18 months, according to new data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

CannConnect is perfect for anyone looking to connect with fellow medical cannabis patients, learn from clinicians & industry leaders and hear expert talks – all in a safe, stigma-free space in the centre of Manchester. Grab a FREE ticket: cannconnect.io

Meet Umesh, leafie’s new agony pharmacist - leafie When the UK’s medical cannabis legislation changed in 2018, few could have predicted the chaos that would follow. Even fewer were positioned to navigate it successfully. For Umesh Chauhan, founder of Specials Pharma, the journey from Responsible Person for "normal" medicines to building one of the UK's biggest independent cannabis…

"We ended up transporting the first shipment via a man in a white van… 60g of Jack Herer cost the client £1,600."

Ahead of his new leafie column, we sat down with Umesh Chauhan, founder of Specials Pharma, to trace his seven-year journey in cannabis.

Running high won’t make you faster, but you will enjoy it more - leafie Cannabis might not be a performance-enhancing drug, but it certainly is joy-enhancing. What’s the deal with cannabis and exercise? Why do they go so well together? leafie's resident runaholic looks for answers.

Cannabis might not be a performance-enhancing drug, but it certainly is joy-enhancing. What’s the deal with cannabis and exercise? Why do they go so well together? leafie's resident runaholic looks for answers.

UK police officers given new guidance on medical cannabis - leafie New guidance, approved by The National Police Chiefs Council, instructs police officers to treat medicinal cannabis users as "patients first, suspects second".

New guidance, approved by The National Police Chiefs Council, instructs police officers to treat medicinal cannabis users as "patients first, suspects second".