World first motorsport team drives out cannabis stigma

The PatientsCann UK Motorsport Team is dedicated to supporting medical cannabis patients who are legally prescribed their medication and is believed to be the first of its kind globally.

It was launched by Sal Aziz, director of PatientsCann UK, during the Thruxton Retro Drag Racing event under the banner Driving Out Cannabis Stigma.

Mr Aziz said: "Thruxton is where my motorsport journey started as a marshal, so returning there to launch this team was incredibly symbolic.

The PatinetsCann UK car in action (Image: patientscann)

"After being excluded from Motorsport UK activity because of my prescription, I came back through another route, with NORA approval, and completed 15 runs at the same venue.

"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.

"That is why this team exists, to drive out cannabis stigma and prove that medical cannabis patients deserve fair assessment, not automatic exclusion."

The team aims to break down barriers and increase opportunities for patient participation across all levels of motorsport, from grassroots drag events to disability-accessible formats and sim racing.

PatientsCann UK also plans to create and share guidance for patients interested in taking part, outlining what medical documentation, permissions or governing body approvals may be necessary.

The idea for the team came from Mr Aziz’s own experience of being excluded from Motorsport UK-regulated competition due to his prescription.

This led him to explore alternative pathways and eventually return to Thruxton through NORA Motorsports and Straightliners, where he completed 15 drag racing runs.

Motorsport UK currently prohibits the use of medicinal cannabis in any capacity for officials, competitors, marshals, and team members at its permitted events.

Sal Aziz, 27 From Exeter, Director of PatientsCann UK (Image: patientscann)

Mr Aziz argues that a blanket ban is not the answer and that patients should be assessed fairly under evidence-based anti-doping processes, such as the WADA Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) route used by other countries.

He said: "NORA looked at the evidence, followed a process and enabled me to compete.

"That matters, because it shows there is another way."

PatientsCann UK is now calling on motorsport organisations, clubs, and event promoters to reconsider their policies and move towards transparent, case-by-case assessments.

The launch team will also begin collecting and publishing data on patient participation and performance in motorsport.

Mr Aziz said: "Every run, every result, and every patient who takes part helps drive out cannabis stigma."