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AN NHS facility based in Cardiff is quality control testing a cannabis-based “vaporiser” which claims to help people with a wide range of debilitating health conditions.

The MediPen, which is inhaled like an e-cigarette, has been described as a “completely legal and harm-free way to unleash the miraculous health benefits of cannabis”.

It uses a substance known as cannabidiol, an oil extracted from the cannabis plant that does not contain any of the psychoactive chemicals which get a person high.

It claims to be able to reduce anxiety, depression and even relieve the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia.

We understand that the cannabidiol (CBD) vaporiser, which can already be bought online, is undergoing quality control measures in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

But the exact location cannot be released by the NHS due to a non-disclosure agreement which prevents them from sharing client information.

All contracts scrutinised

A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “As a University Health Board we undertake a number of commercial activities, such as quality control with private companies, including Medipen.

“Due to commercial in confidence we are not able to provide any further details.

“All Cardiff and Vale University Health Board contracts are scrutinised for ethical, legal and commercial sensitivities and any breach of this will be fully investigated by the Health Board.”

MediPen believes that by testing products with the help of the NHS, the public’s perception of cannabis will change.

It says it wants to “end the criminalisation of over one million medicinal users” and make cannabis-based medication readily available to those who need it.

Managing director Jordan Owen said: “Our contract is for the purposes of safety, quality control and to ensure the consistency of cannabinoid concentration throughout each batch.

“This is something that is extremely important in an industry subject to so many negative connotations, by testing our proprietary formula through a reputable body such as the NHS we are confident that this will have a very positive impact on the public’s perception of cannabis.

"This is a huge leap forward"

“This is a huge leap forward for the UK’s rapidly growing legal cannabis industry and we are confident that by breaking down the negative connotations surrounding cannabis this will have a positive effect on our countries draconian prohibition laws that are having a detrimental impact on the lives of millions of medicinal cannabis users across the UK.”

The MediPen, which is described as a “sleek and stylish portable handheld device ”, can be bought online for as little as £50 and has 17 flavours.

It says it uses cannabis plants grown in the Netherlands with the sole aim of maximising CBD content whilst eliminating any traces of tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary ingredient in marijuana responsible for the high.