A UK coroner has made a landmark ruling that highlights medical cannabis risks after a prescription contributed to the death of a 34-year-old man with a psychiatric disorder. The case raises serious questions about prescribing practices in Britain’s growing private cannabis clinic sector.

Oliver Robinson, from Bury in Greater Manchester, was found hanged at his home on 24 November 2023. This happened just days after his final prescription from Curaleaf, one of Britain’s largest private cannabis clinics.

Catherine McKenna, the coroner for Manchester North, concluded at an inquest in Rochdale that the continuing prescription acted as an obstacle to Robinson receiving appropriate psychiatric care. She ruled his death was by misadventure. The coroner found his actions were undertaken to communicate distress rather than to end his life.

The family’s legal team believes this marks the first time authorities formally recognised prescribed cannabis dangers as contributing to a death in the UK.

A History of Addiction and Medical Cannabis Risks

Robinson had battled cannabis dependency for years. He received treatment at the Priory between September 2019 and September 2022. Despite this documented history, Curaleaf enrolled him in a research study in April 2022 for treatment-resistant depression.

The psychiatrist who prescribed the drug relied on an outdated GP summary. The doctor remained unaware Robinson was simultaneously receiving psychiatric treatment at the Priory for issues stemming from cannabis dependency.

Under British National Formulary guidance, doctors should not prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients with severe psychiatric disorders. Yet Robinson continued receiving prescriptions until 17 November 2023, just one week before his death. This case demonstrates how prescribed cannabis dangers can emerge when clinics ignore safety protocols.

Inadequate Safeguards Amplify Prescribed Cannabis Dangers

The coroner’s findings revealed troubling gaps in patient assessment. The psychiatrist who reviewed Robinson’s case was a children’s and adolescent specialist. The doctor had no consultant level experience treating adults with complex presentations like his.

When Curaleaf became aware of Robinson’s addictive tendencies, staff failed to review his treatment plan. The clinic also knew he was purchasing illicit street cannabis when he couldn’t afford his private prescriptions. Yet they took no action.

In April 2023, an NHS psychiatrist diagnosed Robinson with recurrent depressive disorder and mental and behavioural disorder due to cannabinoid dependency. Still, the clinic overlooked the medical cannabis risks as prescriptions continued for another seven months.

Expert Evidence Questions Efficacy

Alice Wood, from Farleys Solicitors representing the Robinson family, highlighted expert psychiatric evidence presented at the inquest. She explained there is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in treating depression. On the contrary, evidence suggests it can cause depression or make depression worse.

Wood stressed that prescribing cannabis to someone with known addictive behaviours violated fundamental medical principles. The clinic gave no proper consideration of mental health impacts or financial burden. This breached the principle of first do no harm.

Family’s Anguish

Alexander Robinson, Oliver’s brother, said the family had endured years of torment. My brother’s last year was torture for him, he stated. If doctors had not prescribed cannabis, not only would he still be with us today, but much of this pain and suffering could have been avoided.

The coroner has issued a prevention of future deaths report. She warned there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.

Industry Response and Regulatory Concerns

A Curaleaf spokesman expressed sympathy whilst noting the coroner’s conclusion recognised multiple contributing factors. The company stated it would carefully consider any recommendations. They pledged to continue providing responsible, clinically led care within established medical and regulatory frameworks.

However, this case exposes what can happen when profit-driven private clinics operate without robust safeguards. With medicinal cannabis prescriptions soaring in recent years, the medical cannabis risks have grown significantly. Statistics show private cannabis clinic prescriptions in the UK increased by over 800% between 2020 and 2023.

Robinson’s death serves as a stark reminder that vulnerable patients require rigorous protection. They should not receive experimental treatments that exacerbate existing dependencies. The inquest’s findings will likely prompt calls for tighter regulation of private cannabis clinics. Authorities must implement more stringent assessment protocols before doctors issue prescriptions to patients with psychiatric histories.

Understanding these medical cannabis risks is crucial for patient safety and proper regulatory oversight.

Source: telegraph