Former Boxer Derek Chisora Advocates for Medical Cannabis Access to Manage Chronic Pain – Hemp Gazette

Former heavyweight boxing contender Derek Chisora has publicly shared his experience using prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain, following a career spanning more than two decades in professional boxing. Chisora is now launching a new initiative, WarOnPain, aimed at supporting individuals living with chronic pain and improving understanding and access to the UK’s legal medical cannabis system.
According to Cannabis Health News, Chisora’s extensive career, which included 50 professional bouts, has resulted in persistent discomfort “from my knees to my hands.” His advocacy highlights the challenges many former athletes and others face in managing long-term pain.
Chisora emphasised that his focus is on legitimate medical treatment within a regulated framework, distinctly separate from recreational use. He noted that while younger bodies may recover more quickly, the cumulative impact of years in a demanding sport can lead to significant chronic pain in later life.
“People see the fights, the knockouts, the entertainment. What they don’t see is what happens afterwards – the years your body carries the damage, the recovery and the pain you live with every day,” Chisora stated. “This isn’t about recreational cannabis, it’s about access to proper medical treatment in a safe and regulated way.”
He also pointed out that many individuals, including former athletes and veterans, struggle quietly with both physical and mental health challenges, often feeling they have exhausted conventional treatment options.
The launch of WarOnPain coincides with ongoing discussions at events like Cannabis Europa in London, where the expansion of Britain’s private medical cannabis sector is a key topic. Despite cannabis-based medicines being legalised in the UK in 2018, more than 99% of prescriptions are privately funded. A YouGov poll mentioned in the report indicated that 73% of the British public believe doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis for medical use.
Chisora highlighted a significant barrier: a lack of public awareness regarding the legality and regulated pathways for medical cannabis in the UK. He believes that greater education for patients and healthcare professionals, alongside more research, is essential to understand how cannabis-based medicines might support those with conditions like chronic pain and PTSD.
To better understand the system, Chisora undertook his own specialist-led medical cannabis journey. WarOnPain, part of the War Health Group (WHG), works within the UK medical cannabis sector.
Pierre Van Weperen, Managing Director of Grow Group Limited, commented that “a growing body of medical evidence suggests cannabis-based medicines may help some patients living with chronic pain when prescribed within regulated clinical frameworks.” He stressed the importance of a responsible approach, patient safety, and clinical oversight.
Patient access to medical cannabis in the UK operates within existing regulatory frameworks, ensuring that prescribing decisions remain entirely doctor-led following consultation with a specialist clinician. The typical private pathway involves:
Chisora himself received a prescription for medical cannabis, as prescribed by his specialist clinician. This demonstrates a patient’s journey within the regulated system for medical cannabis for chronic pain management.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
Based in Australia, we publish industrial hemp and cannabis news, research and industry reports from around the world. Learn more about Hemp Gazette.
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