PRESS RELEASE - United Patients Alliance – Northern Irish Medical Cannabis Summit
NO EMBARGO
Event: United Patients Alliance – Northern Irish Medical Cannabis Summit
Date: 27th January 2018, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Riddel Hall, Queens University, Stranmillis Road,
Belfast.
Guests: 150+
Major announcements to be made this week;
- GreenLight Medicines agreed to sponsor the event. They are Irelands only cannabis based pharmaceutical firm, have been building an extraction plant and laboratory on the border with Co. Tyrone and Co. Donegal.
- Dr. David Gibson, Northern Irelands only cannabinoid researcher working out of Ulster University will attend and present his recent research conducted right at home.
Conference speaker list to be found below in editorial
Quote from Keynote Speaker: Professor Michael Barnes, MD FRCP, Neuropharmacology,
“The Northern Irish Medical Cannabis Summit is really
important to raise awareness of the benefits of medical cannabis and continue our efforts to get this invaluable product
legal for thousands of people currently having to live with pain and other real problems in their daily lives.”
Quotes from Patients:
Neil Paine, 46, Coleraine, British Army Veteran 14 years,
PTSD and Chronic Pain
“I believe that members of organizations concerned with the
care of veterans could gain a much needed insight into this long demonized medicine. The Barnes Report already shows
evidence to support the medicinal and therapeutic value of cannabis as treatment for PTSD among other conditions.”
Gareth Tuff, 36, East Belfast, MS Patient using cannabis
(seeking to stand in local council elections next year with
the Ulster Unionist Party)
“A governments primary role is to keep its citizens safe. If
the medicine is safe and effective and there is general consensus amongst the medical fraternity then there is no question;
the law will change. As a Multiple Sclerosis patient I am forced (as there is no other option) to take some very dangerous
pharmaceutical infusion medications. The danger is death. Debate not hate, that is what is needed.”
Deborah Hempkin, 55, Newry, Mother of a Chrons Patient using
cannabis
“From a mother who was against Cannabis her entire life to
watch her son heal within 3 days was hard to believe. I watched my son struggle with Crohns Disease for 14years and
I have also watched him heal within 3 days from taking Cannabis. Events like these are of the utmost importance to
deliver the truth behind Cannabis and help to educate people.”
Quotes from UPA Directors:
Alex Fraser, UPA Director
“Conferences like this are essential to change the image of
cannabis in the mind of the public, to remove the stigma and to educate people about how Cannabis could help them or someone
they love"
Jon Liebling, UPA Political Director
"We have been seeing a significant shift around the world over the last few years and indeed in the UK over the last 12 months. UPA Northern Ireland showed at the protest outside Stormont in October that there are things that all political paritnes can agree upon and cannabis as medicine is one. The time is perfect for such a well organised, well attended summit here in Belfast.
Editorial:
United Patients Alliance Northern Ireland are proud to
announce the Northern Ireland Medical Cannabis Summit, the regions leading forum for evidence based discussion on
cannabis based medicines. To be held in the rather fitting backdrop of Riddel Hall, Queens University.
This conference is a gathering of people at the forefront of
cannabis research, policy innovation, legal knowledge and cannabis product and brand development. Ran completely by
volunteers, the Northern Irish Medical Cannabis Summit should be in the calendar for anyone planning to engage in
the debate in 2018 and beyond.
We will host talks, presentations and panel discussions from;
- Professor Michael Barnes, MD FRCP, Consultant Neurologist and Neuropharmacologist, Author of The Barnes Report, the UK’s leading body of cannabinoid research.
- Baroness Molly Meacher, Chairperson to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform, Crossbencher House Of Lords
- Dr. Arno Hazekamp, Cannabis Consultant
- Dr. David Gibson, Cannabinoid Researcher, Ulster University
- Paul North, Treatment and Addiction Policy Advisor at VolteFace
- Kirstie Douse, Release, The UK Centre of Expertise on Drugs and Drugs Law
- PANEL FROM REPUBLIC OF IRELAND; Dr. Garrett McGovern. TD Gino Kenny, Tom Curran and Brian Houlihan
- UPA Directors and Regional Chairpersons
One day to promote change
The first of its kind in Northern Ireland. This conference will be a collection of minds at the
forefront of developing sensible evidence-based cannabis
policy, regulated cannabis products, progressive policing and first-hand experience with the
effects of cannabis prohibition on the healthcare system, legal system and people.
Intended to redistribute knowledge to those in a position to
influence future policy, this event will be the first opportunity to receive this level of education from the front lines of
cannabis research and policy innovation. The aim of this conference is to redistribute knowledge to those in a position to
influence future drug policy reform.
Not only to provide a forum encouraging discussion in a
professional and academic context and develop a qualified response to a serious social and health issues but to
facilitate liaison between executive bodies and relevant nongovernmental civic input organisation, provide research and evaluate
developing frameworks while adopting and enhancing
current collaborative networks that will help with the
advancement of policy and its appropriate use by companies, institutions and individuals in Northern Ireland.
All ages are welcome and disabled access is available, tickets cost £21.50 including booking fee free the EventBrite page
ticketing service at
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-irish-medical-cannabis-summit-2018-tickets-41766613064.
The organisers are delighted to reveal that the event is a SELL OUT
END
Author contact:
Pearse Donnelly
Regional Co-Chairperson UPA Northern Ireland, NIMCS18
Manager
Suite 3, 100 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE
E: upanorthernireland@gmail.com
T: 07927093596
Political Director
Jonathan Liebling
E: jon@liebing.co.uk
M+447921589237
Political Director
Jonathan Liebling
E: jon@liebing.co.uk
M
