‘Should never have been prescribed’: private UK cannabis clinics face call for tighter regulation

Olivia Bennett
1 Min Read
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Family pushing for greater controls after inquest finds Oliver Robinson’s prescription was ‘obstacle’ to proper care

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Oliver Robinson felt he had exhausted conventional therapies when he left the Priory, a private mental health facility where he was treated for depression and addiction between 2019 and 2022. Initially he found relief from a new kind of prescription elsewhere. But by the time he took his own life in November 2023, aged 34, his family believe his medicine was making him worse.

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In January, an inquest concluded that Robinson’s prescription for medicinal cannabis had “probably contributed to his death”. Catherine McKenna, the coroner for Manchester North, also ruled that his continued use of the prescription, first issued to him in May 2022 by Curaleaf Clinic, a private cannabis provider, “acted as an obstacle” to him receiving appropriate psychiatric and addiction care. His family understand this to be the first ruling of its kind.


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Olivia Bennett (she/her) is a health education specialist and medical writer dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based health information. She holds a strong academic background in public health and clinical sciences, with advanced training from respected institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom.   Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She later completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she developed a deep interest in preventive care and patient education.   To further strengthen her expertise in global and community health, she obtained a Master of Science in Global Health and Development from the University College London. She also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Nutrition at the King's College London.   Since completing her studies, Bennett has worked in both clinical and health communication roles, contributing to medical blogs, health platforms, and public awareness campaigns. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into practical guidance that everyday readers can understand and apply.   In 2021, she began specializing in digital health education, helping online health platforms maintain medically accurate, reader-friendly content. Her key areas of focus include: Preventive healthcare Women’s health Mental health awareness Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension) Nutrition and lifestyle medicine   Bennett believes that trustworthy health information should be accessible to everyone. Her goal is to empower readers to make informed decisions about their well-being through clear, compassionate, and research-backed guidance.   Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading medical journals, participating in community wellness initiatives, and mentoring aspiring health writers.
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