The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has announced a pioneering partnership with Cancard, designed to enhance the safety and inclusion of medicinal cannabis users within the UK’s hospitality and night-time economy. This collaboration will introduce a revolutionary training programme which aims to safeguard licensed venues while supporting the needs of medicinal cannabis patients.
With over 1.8 million people in the UK using cannabis for medicinal purposes – and the number of prescription patients growing rapidly – the demand for informed, empathetic, and safe environments for these individuals is on the rise. A 2019 poll commissioned by the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group indicated that 77% of respondents agreed that medicinal cannabis use should be permitted. However, identifying genuine medicinal cannabis users in venues such as pubs, clubs, and events has been a significant challenge. Historically, a lack of awareness has led to unintended discrimination, compromising both patients’ well-being and venues’ legal standing.
The NTIA, representing over 10,000 licensed venues, and Cancard, which supports a membership base of 100,000 medicinal cannabis patients, have come together to address this issue head-on. Their shared goal is to ensure hospitality venues can confidently uphold licensing objectives while protecting staff, patrons, and the business.
One of the critical challenges for venues in the night-time economy has been the ability to differentiate between legitimate medicinal cannabis users and those using the substance illegally. Without transparent identification systems, this has often placed undue pressure on security teams and venue staff, potentially jeopardising licensing compliance.
Medicinal cannabis users, many of whom rely on cannabis to manage life-altering conditions, face anxiety when visiting public venues, fearing they might be prevented from using their prescribed medication. This deters patients from social activities and exposes venues to legal risks under discrimination laws. Last year, Cancard received hundreds of complaints regarding the confiscation of medicine at events, some resulting in legal cases involving claims of discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010.
The innovative training initiative will equip venue staff and security teams with the tools and knowledge to better understand medicinal cannabis use and patients’ legal rights. Central to this initiative is the Cancard membership system, which provides a simple and effective way to identify legitimate medicinal cannabis users.
By using Cancard, venue staff can confidently verify a patient’s medicinal cannabis status, enabling them to make informed decisions that uphold licensing laws without compromising the safety of their patrons or the integrity of their business.
The programme will also promote a deeper understanding of how medicinal cannabis functions as an essential medicine for many people, ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect, just as venues would cater to any other form of disability or medical need.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward for the UK’s night-time economy, fostering inclusivity while reducing the risk of costly and inadvertent legal action. By creating safer, more welcoming spaces for medicinal cannabis users, the partnership between NTIA and Cancard will help venues protect their licences, their customers, and their staff.
Information about the partnership and the venue training can be found here: https://ntia.co.uk/cancard-partnership/
The NTIA and Cancard are proud to take this historic step towards a more inclusive and supportive night-time economy across the UK.
Silvana Kill, Director of the NTIA, said: “We are delighted to partner with Cancard Ltd to enhance the safety and inclusivity of the night-time economy. This collaboration aligns with our mission to support members and advocate for policies that benefit the industry and the communities they serve. Together, we will provide essential training and resources to ensure that our venues are safe and welcoming for all customers, including those who use medical cannabis.”
Harm Reduction in the Night Time Economy involves working directly with those who engage with our customers in our spaces and on the front lines. By raising awareness through practical engagement training, we increase the confidence of our workforce by knowing how to support vulnerable people when participating in our nighttime communities and reassure our customers that we are there for them.
Carly Barton, Founder of Cancard Ltd, commented: “Our partnership with the NTIA is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society for medical cannabis patients. Working with night-time economy venues ensures these individuals are treated respectfully and understanding. We are excited to bring our expertise to this vibrant sector and support the NTIA in their mission.”
