MEET PROF. MIKE BARNES

Dedicated to developing a robust and ethical medical cannabis industry in the post-Brexit landscape,  as a Director of Maple Tree Consultants, Prof. Barnes' extensive clinical and sector knowledge allows him to support businesses establishing, growing and exiting this exciting emerging market. With a global reach and extensive experience, Prof. Barnes's unrivalled expertise is trusted by organisations worldwide. Alongside fellow Director Hannah Deacon, ​Prof. Barnes provides expert consultancy for leading organisations in the medical cannabis and CBD wellness sectors through Maple Tree. 

His 2016 report - Cannabis - The Evidence for Medical Use, became a hugely influential work, credited with progressing the medical cannabis debate in the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland.  Ultimately, on 1 November 2018, the UK Government rescheduled cannabis, and it became legal for specialist doctors to prescribe. Earlier that year, through a shared care agreement, Prof. Barnes wrote the first NHS prescription for medical cannabis for Alfie Dingley, who lives with a rare form of epilepsy. 

Professor Barnes is committed to securing access to medical cannabis for all patients who need it. He is Chief Medical Officer of Drug Science's Project Twenty21, a research project to create the UK's largest body of evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of medical cannabis. It is hoped that the Project's findings will provide evidence for NHS funding for this treatment. 

​

Prof Barnes also works to advance the education and support available to doctors and increase the number of doctors able to prescribe this life-changing treatment. Founder and President of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, Prof Barnes, leads this independent, not-for-profit community of clinicians, dedicated to supporting members with education, peer support and mentoring. 

Prof. Barnes founded, Chaired and is now President of the Cannabis Industry Council, established in 2021 to bring together organisations from across the sector. A collective voice for the industry, the Council will define and maintain the Gold Standard for organisations operating in the medical Cannabis and Hemp sector.