Big Narstie’s Cannabis Company Faces Scrutiny Over Promotions

Medical Cannabis Company Under Fire

Grime artist Big Narstie, whose real name is Craig David, has launched a medical cannabis company. His company’s website was recently found to be advising customers on how to qualify for medical cannabis treatment. This has raised concerns because promoting prescription medicine is illegal in the UK. Big Narstie posted a video on social media explaining how his company works. He stated, “If you got a long-term pain, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, or any other conditions what regular medicine hasn’t fixed, this video could change everything for you.” He highlighted that the cannabis is grown under strict medical standards and tested before being sent to the UK for patients. The video aimed to inform viewers on how to become a medical cannabis patient quickly.

Partnership Claims Removed

Until recently, Big Narstie’s company claimed to be in partnership with Integro Clinics. This clinic is led by a senior NHS consultant. However, this claim was removed from the website after The Times newspaper contacted the company. Andrew Ellson, consumer affairs correspondent at The Times, reported on the story. He explained that medical cannabis was legalized in the UK in 2018. Many people are surprised to learn that about two-thirds of medical cannabis prescribed is the actual flower of the plant, similar to what might be found on the street. The key difference is that it’s grown under controlled, professional conditions. This ensures the exact strength and strains are known, with precise levels of THC, CBD, and other compounds.

Who Can Get Medical Cannabis?

The law change allowing medical cannabis was driven by the need to help children with severe epilepsy. These children suffered from intractable epilepsy, experiencing dangerous fits that could be life-threatening. Cannabis was found to significantly help these young patients. However, eight years later, these children are no longer the majority of people receiving these drugs. While exact figures are hard to obtain due to a lack of transparency in the industry, reports suggest that around 60% of medical cannabis patients are now being treated for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Concerns Over Mental Health Prescriptions

This shift has caused particular concern. While medical cannabis can undoubtedly help many people with conditions such as chronic pain, cancer symptoms, appetite loss, and epilepsy, the Royal College of Psychiatry has stated there is insufficient evidence to support its use for mental health conditions. They also warn that it can worsen existing mental health problems for some individuals. A tragic case highlighted these worries: Oliver Robinson, 34, who suffered from depression, psychosis, and addiction, was prescribed high-strength medical cannabis by the Cure Relief clinic. Following this, he took his own life. An inquest revealed that the clinic had not contacted his NHS psychiatrist or his primary care physician. The woman who assessed him was a child psychiatrist with no experience treating adults with mental health issues.

Integro Clinics and Regulatory Gray Areas

Integro Clinics initially featured prominently on Big Narstie’s company website. However, the clinic denied any financial relationship or payments to Big Narstie. They did confirm they prescribe his high-strength medical cannabis products. These products are reportedly twice the strength of typical street-level cannabis and should not be taken lightly. After The Times’ inquiry, references to Integro Clinics were removed from Big Narstie’s site. It appears the main benefit Big Narstie receives is that Integro Clinics prescribes his medication. The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 make it illegal to promote prescription medicines, including through advertising and social media influencers. Despite this, clinics like Cure Relief have advertised on television, and Big Narstie has promoted medical cannabis on platforms like Instagram. Their argument is that they are promoting the clinic’s services, not the medicine itself, which Ellson describes as a questionable gray area. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) generally only investigates such issues if a complaint is made.

Potential Risks and Calls for Reform

Ellson highlighted a significant risk, particularly for young people. A well-known celebrity promoting cannabis as “great,” “cool,” and “legal” can be a major red flag. He believes two issues are at play. Firstly, a “pseudo-recreational market” where individuals feign mental health conditions as a quick and easy way to obtain cannabis legally. They can then show a prescription if stopped by police. Secondly, people with existing mental health conditions might be taking medication from private clinics for prolonged periods. These clinics may profit from keeping patients on monthly prescriptions for drugs that could potentially worsen their condition, instead of pursuing treatments like counseling. Oliver Robinson’s brother, Alexander Robinson, has launched a campaign called “Oliver’s Law.” This campaign calls for mandatory checks by private clinics with a patient’s NHS doctor or other medical professionals before prescribing for mental health issues. It also advocates for in-person consultations instead of short Zoom calls and greater transparency regarding the quantities of medication prescribed, as some clinics reportedly issue very high amounts.

Is Big Narstie Legally Liable?

Regarding whether Big Narstie could face legal action, Ellson stated it’s unlikely he’s done anything strictly illegal. However, his promotional methods exist in a regulatory gray area. Experts have questioned why cannabis clinics are advertised when opioid, steroid, or penicillin clinics are not. This practice, Ellson suggests, seems like a loophole being exploited. Given his significant presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where many young people are active, his actions are widely considered irresponsible.

What’s Next?

The controversy surrounding the promotion of medical cannabis highlights a need for clearer regulations and greater transparency in the industry. As campaigns like “Oliver’s Law” gain momentum, it is likely that regulatory bodies will face increased pressure to address these concerns. The focus will be on ensuring patient safety, particularly for those with mental health conditions, and preventing the misuse of medical cannabis for recreational purposes. The public and regulatory agencies will be watching closely to see if stricter guidelines are implemented to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold the integrity of medical prescriptions.

Source: Big Narstie’s Medical Cannabis Company Under Fire For Promoting Prescriptions | Andrew Ellson (YouTube)