Story Highlight
– PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team supports medical cannabis patients.
– Launched by Sal Aziz at Thruxton Retro Drag Racing.
– Aims to drive out cannabis stigma in motorsport.
– Calls for fair assessments for medical cannabis users.
– Plans to collect data on patient participation in racing.
Full Story
The PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team has emerged with the aim of championing the rights of medical cannabis patients who hold legal prescriptions for their treatment. This initiative is thought to represent a pioneering effort on a global scale.
The team was introduced by Sal Aziz, director of PatientsCann UK, at the Thruxton Retro Drag Racing day, themed “Driving Out Cannabis Stigma.” Aziz has shared that his personal journey in motorsport began at Thruxton, where he started as a marshal, making this launch particularly meaningful for him.
He stated: “Thruxton is where my motorsport journey started as a marshal, so returning there to launch this team was incredibly symbolic.”
Aziz faced challenges when he was barred from participating in Motorsport UK events due to his prescription. However, he found a pathway back into the sport with approval from NORA Motorsports, where he successfully completed 15 runs at the same venue.
He reflected: “To be racing there, literally in the middle of a motorsport environment where Motorsport UK activity was also taking place, showed exactly why this conversation matters.”
The core mission of the PatientsCann UK team is to dismantle the barriers that hinder patient participation in motorsport. This encompasses a range of events, from grassroots drag racing to formats accessible for those with disabilities, as well as opportunities in sim racing.
In addition to its advocacy efforts, PatientsCann UK intends to develop comprehensive guidance for patients eager to engage in motorsport. This will include clarifications on necessary medical documents, permissions, and approvals from governing bodies.
The concept for this team stemmed from Aziz’s own experiences with exclusion from events regulated by Motorsport UK due to his medical prescription. His determination led him to pursue alternative avenues and ultimately return to Thruxton, where he engaged with NORA Motorsports and Straightliners to participate in the drag races.
Under current regulations, Motorsport UK maintains a strict prohibition on the use of medicinal cannabis by officials, competitors, marshals, and team members participating in sanctioned events.
At 27 years old and hailing from Exeter, Mr. Aziz argues that a comprehensive prohibition does not serve the best interests of patients. He advocates for a more nuanced approach, suggesting that individuals should undergo fair assessments based on evidence, citing processes like the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) as models utilized in other nations.
“NORA looked at the evidence, followed a process and enabled me to compete. That matters, because it shows there is another way,” he said.
PatientsCann UK is now appealing to motorsport authorities, clubs, and promoters to rethink their policies in favor of a system that prioritizes transparent, individual assessments rather than blanket bans.
Additionally, the launch team plans to start gathering and disseminating data regarding patient participation and performance within motorsport arenas.
According to Aziz, “Every run, every result, and every patient who takes part helps drive out cannabis stigma.”
