Professor points towards Malta for medical cannabis progress

European Cannabis Holdings (ECH) recently appointed four experts to form its new Medical Board, out of whom one pointed towards Malta in anticipation of changes in terms of medical cannabis, according to a press release issued at the end of January.

“Cannabis is the most exciting medical development of the early 21st century. Attitudes in Europe are beginning to change, evidenced by recent legislation passed in the UK, Portugal and Malta,” says Professor Mike Barnes, Chief Medical Officer at ECH. “However, there remains much to be done with regards to educating healthcare professionals, patients and the wider public. Raising awareness is the first step towards widespread adoption of cannabis treatments, which will improve patient outcomes and ultimately drive medical progress,” the professor adds.

ECH is a group of companies committed to staying at the forefront of the medical cannabis industry. The umbrella organisation has recently appointed four leading experts to form its new Medical Board. These new positions precede some significant corporate developments at the ECH group over the coming weeks.

The new appointments include:

• Professor Mike Barnes, a world-renowned neurologist and consultant in rehabilitation medicine, heads the board as the company’s Chief Medical Officer.
• Dr David McDowell, who consults on chronic pain and is actively involved in enabling medicinal cannabis use in the UK.
• Dr Dani Gordon has been named Director of Education, given her experience as a world-leading expert in clinical cannabis medicine in Canada over the last few years. She has now relocated to London.
• ECH’s resident GP is Dr Leon Barron, who practises in the London area, focusing on mental health, respiratory medicine and chronic pain, and advocates the need for a holistic approach to patient care.

The board members’ expertise in neurology and chronic pain — conditions for which patients have been reported to struggle to receive adequate care and which have been shown to be receptive to cannabis-based treatments — is expected support ECH in identifying industry firsts and appointing a more comprehensive team of medical cannabis pioneers to the company.

ECH is making efforts towards shaping the future of legal cannabis while firmly entrenched at the forefront of the European industry. Their portfolio includes market intelligence firm Prohibition Partners, conference organiser Cannabis Europa, CBD distributor Amkeu and online learning platform The Academy of Medical Cannabis.