While Attorney General Jeff Session continues to terrify the marijuana industry with his ridiculous comments about pot, medical marijuana got yet another celebrity endorsement this week: Sir Patrick Stewart.

The 76-year-old actor spoke out in favor of medical marijuana, sharing that he uses medical cannabis to help ease the pain of his arthritis. Stewart released the statement to support a new initiative by Oxford University, which will research the potential medical benefits of cannabis.

“Two years ago, in Los Angeles, I was examined by a doctor and given a note which gave me legal permission to purchase, from a registered outlet, cannabis-based products, which I was advised might help the ortho-arthritis in both my hands,” Patrick said in a statement. “This, it would seem, is a genetically-based condition. My mother had badly distorted and painful hands."

But Stewart isn't rolling up a joint or hitting the bong, he says he typically uses sprays, ointments and edibles.

“I purchased an ointment, spray and edibles. The ointment, while providing some relief from the discomfort, was too greasy to use during daytime and so I only use it at night.”

Patrick went on to describe how he uses his medicine, later adding that he can now make a fist with his hand, which was impossible for him to do before using cannabis.

“It helps with sleep as the pain was reduced. The spray, however, is much more usable and I spray my fingers and particularly my thumb joints several times a day. The spray very quickly evaporates and leaves my hands quite dry, though with a slight burning or tingling sensation, which is not unpleasant. I believe that the ointment and spray have significantly reduced the stiffness and pain in my hands.”

But the most powerful part of his statement came when Patrick talked about the side effects he experiences from using cannabis.

"I have had no negative side effects from this treatment and the alternative would have been to continue taking NSAID’s, Advil, Aleve and Naproxen, which are known to be harsh on the liver and to cause acid reflux. This is an important step forward for Britain in a field of research that has for too long been held back by prejudice, fear and ignorance. I believe this programme of research might result in benefits for people like myself as well as millions of others.”



According to the Telegraph, neither the Conservative or Labour Party officially support legalizing cannabis for medical use, however, the Green Party (heh) and Liberal Democrats have both previously supported medical cannabis.