Oliver Robinson, 34, died by suicide in November 2023 after medicinal cannabis prescribed by private clinic Curaleaf likely contributed to his death, according to a Manchester inquest. The coroner ruled his continued cannabis prescription acted as an obstacle to proper psychiatric care.
Robinson had struggled with depression and addiction, receiving treatment at the Priory mental health facility. After leaving, he obtained a cannabis prescription from Curaleaf Clinic through a video consultation in May 2022, using a nine-month-old GP summary. His brother Alexander says the drug worsened his condition, leading to violent behavior toward their mother and eventual isolation.
Private cannabis prescriptions surged from 282,920 in 2023 to 659,293 in 2024, while NHS prescriptions remain limited. The coroner found prescribing decisions were based on incomplete information and inadequate communication with other healthcare providers.
Alexander Robinson launched 'Oliver's Law' calling for bans on prescriptions for serious mental illness, face-to-face assessments for complex cases, and stronger CQC oversight. The campaign seeks to prevent others from experiencing similar harm as private cannabis clinics operate with limited regulatory scrutiny despite growing patient numbers.