u/louisvanthall

Hi all,

I've recently been prescribed medical cannabis for chronic insomnia, and I'm looking for some advice from a policing perspective.

I preface this by saying I would absolutely never drive if I felt even slightly impaired and I only use it before bed. However i'm aware I would likely be over the limit should I be drug wiped the next day.

I'd obviously explain my situation and have the prescription and ID at hand to show an officer, but is there anything else you'd recommend I do or carry to ensure I'm as above board as possible if I were ever stopped while driving? I know I'd have a statutory medical defence under section 5 of the RTA but I obviously want to be as safe and above board as possible. Hence this post.

I'm also curious if you have come across this before as I imagine it could be a bit of a grey area.

Thanks in advance and I appreciate the work you all do.

I've had insomnia sporadically through my life but for the past 3 months-ish it's got progressively worse to the point I'm lucky if i get 3-4 hours a night. I've been prescribed a short course of zopiclone and have been having some horrible side effects the next day and I'm awaiting the results of a blood test.

I'll be going back to see what else the doctor can offer and hopefully that fixes it, but I'd rather use cannabis for several reasons but mostly I dont really want to be dependant on pharmaceutical drugs as I have a bad family history of this.

I used to smoke BM daily some years ago when i dealt with some insomnia as well as recreationally so I know that works for me.

I guess my question is, is there a minimum time you need to have tried the two medications that don't work/have bad side effects for to be eligible for a prescription?