In a fragmented European cannabis landscape, one thing is clear: patients are driving the conversation forward. This fall, the international initiative We, The Patients expands its educational series on medical cannabis and chronic pain with new events in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Following successful gatherings in Madrid and Zurich, these upcoming forums continue the group’s mission of building empathy-based bridges between patients, clinicians, scientists, and policymakers.
Bern and London Events Center Patients, Not Institutions
The upcoming sessions are fully free to attend, with limited registration available online, and designed to create safe, inclusive spaces for those living with chronic pain.
Bern, Switzerland
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Hotel Bern
Organized with Swiss nonprofit Medcan Schweiz
Register here
London, United Kingdom
Friday, November 7, 2025
The Charterhouse, Barbican
Hosted in partnership with PatientsCann UK
Register here
Both events prioritize patient wellbeing throughout the day. Attendees will find:
- On-site medical assistance for those who need it
- Breaks and rest areas to reduce physical strain
- Inclusive catering, with vegetarian, gluten-free, and alcohol-free options
- Welcome kits with curated tools and information
- Full recordings available after the event on the We, The Patients YouTube channel
Evidence, Empathy, and Vaporisers: Inside the Program
Each forum blends scientific expertise with real patient stories. It’s not a top-down lecture. It’s a two-way conversation.
The program includes:
- Scientific insights on cannabis-based treatments for chronic pain
- Testimonies from patients navigating complex health systems
- “Bridging Dialogues”, where patients and professionals speak as equals
- Hands-on workshops on vaporisation techniques and the role of terpenes in symptom management
The goal isn’t just education. It’s connection. These events ask what happens when those most affected by policy are the ones shaping it.
A Model Rooted in Listening
“These events are not just conferences — they are bridges,” said Carola Pérez, founder and chair of We, The Patients.
“Patients are leading the way, inviting clinicians and researchers to walk alongside them. Together, we’re creating a new model of care — one built on empathy, knowledge, and real-life experience.”
Pérez, a longtime advocate based in Spain, has spent over a decade pushing for patient inclusion in medical cannabis policy across Europe. Her work centers lived experience, especially in chronic pain management, as a valid and vital form of data.
Who’s Behind the Movement
We, The Patients is a pan-European, patient-led initiative chaired by Pérez. The organization focuses on advocacy, education, and expanding access to cannabis-based medicine grounded in scientific evidence and human dignity.
wethepatients.eu
Medcan Schweiz is a Swiss nonprofit association that supports patient access through legal guidance, research partnerships, and public education.
medcan.ch
PatientsCann UK, led by Mohammad Wasway, is a volunteer-run organization committed to inclusive medical cannabis education and better public health policies in the UK.
patientscann.org.uk
The Bottom Line
Medical cannabis in Europe still faces major hurdles — from patchy regulations to systemic stigma. But these events mark a different kind of progress. One led not by corporations or lobbying groups, but by people living the reality every day.
In Bern and London this fall, the mic belongs to the patients.
