A medical cannabis patient has launched what is believed to be the world’s first motorsport team for prescribed patients after completing 15 drag racing runs at a circuit where he had previously been excluded from competition.
The PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team, founded under the campaign banner “Driving Out Cannabis Stigma,” aims to raise questions about whether prescribed medical cannabis patients should face blanket exclusion from motorsport or be assessed through evidence-based medical and anti-doping processes like other prescribed medications.
Sal Aziz, director of PatientsCann UK, completed the runs at Thruxton Retro Drag Racing on 4 July following approval through NORA Motorsports and Straightliners. He had previously been excluded from Motorsport UK-regulated activity because of his legal prescription.
Thruxton is where Aziz first entered motorsport as a marshal before his exclusion. Returning to compete at the same venue demonstrated what he calls the contradiction at the heart of UK Motorsport’s approach to medical cannabis patients.
Correspondence from Motorsport UK, seen by leafie, confirms its current position that medicinal cannabis use “in any capacity” is prohibited for officials, competitors, marshals and team members. When contacted, a Motorsport UK spokesperson confirmed that “following extensive review, the use of medicinal cannabis is prohibited for those in safety-critical roles at our Permitted Events,” and that “the effects of such medication have been assessed specifically in the context of motorsport, considering the specific risks and safety obligations that motorsport inherently presents.”
“We take our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 very seriously; this is a safety measure kept under regular review in line with the latest safety evidence,” the spokesperson added.
NORA’s approval of Aziz followed what he describes as an evidence-based assessment process. The 15 runs took place in a live motorsport environment at Thruxton, where Motorsport UK events were also taking place.
“To be racing there, literally in the middle of a motorsport environment where Motorsport UK activity was also taking place, showed exactly why this conversation matters,” Aziz said. “One system says patients like me should be excluded, while another evidence-based route has shown we can take part safely and responsibly.”
Aziz has received confirmation from motorsport authorities in Malta and Australia that prescribed medical cannabis patients may be considered through WADA Therapeutic Use Exemption routes, subject to medical evidence and anti-doping requirements. Sport Integrity Australia confirms that cannabis/THC is prohibited in-competition under WADA rules, but that an anti-doping violation only arises where an athlete tests positive without a valid therapeutic use exemption.
Sal Aziz of PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team
The PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team will support patients exploring routes into grassroots motorsport disciplines, drag racing, sim racing and disability-accessible formats. The organisation plans to publish guidance for medical cannabis patients who want to understand how they may participate in motorsport responsibly, and will begin collating results from patients who compete.
Medical cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since 2018, yet patients continue to face stigma and misunderstanding around driving, employment, sport and housing.
PatientsCann UK is calling on motorsport bodies, clubs, venues and event organisers to reconsider how medical cannabis patients are treated. The organisation argues patients should be considered through transparent, evidence-based processes that account for medical documentation, anti-doping rules and proportionate safeguards, rather than facing automatic exclusion because of a legal prescription.
