Copyright dailystar
MPs and drug chiefs are calling on the government to revive the flagging economy using cannabis. They claim legal weed farms could provide a “huge opportunity” for economic growth as well as medical benefits. The call comes after US rapper Snoop Dogg invested £4.5million to help pharmaceutical firm Mamedica expand in the UK. Jon Robson, founder of Mamedica, said growing more of the plant would reduce NHS waiting lists. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi said: “There is a possibility for growth and we should be looking for all avenues for that. “I believe there is a huge market here.” Mr Robson said that growing more of the plant in the UK would help to reduce the costs associated with it. He reckoned it would also support the economy and reduce NHS wait lists. He said: “I would say about 90% of products are imported into the UK, from other countries, with 10% coming from our domestic supply chain. “We believe that in order for the market to grow and for us to see significant pickup, we need to see more products manufactured here. “That will obviously be of benefit to the UK economy, with more companies being created, more jobs being created and tax revenue feeding back into the economy.” A government spokesperson said: “The NHS funds licensed cannabis-based medicines where there is clear evidence of their quality, safety, and effectiveness. “Manufacturers must seek the proper approval before a medicine can be made routinely available for NHS patients. “NHS England and the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) have agreed over £8.5m in funding for two world-first clinical trials for cannabis-based products for medicinal use.”
