🌟 Medical Cannabis Patient Stories: UK Lives Transformed

Hi, I'm Joe Yates, CTO at GroupCani – the tech wizard behind our seamless patient platform, from app integrations to secure prescribing tools. But behind the code and coffee-fueled sprints, anxiety was my silent saboteur, intertwined with what I now suspect was undiagnosed ADHD.

For years, it gripped me like a vice: racing heart during meetings, overthinking every detail to the point of paralysis, and that constant 'what if' loop amplified by hyper-focus rabbit holes that derailed my days and turned nights into battlegrounds.

As a leader, I powered through with sheer will – or so I thought. Deadlines blurred into burnout, relationships strained from my scattered energy and emotional rollercoasters. Traditional meds? They dulled the edge but fogged my focus even more, leaving me less sharp when I needed to be at my best, masking what felt like deeper executive function glitches.

Fast forward six months: I'm not just managing; I'm thriving. Decisions flow clearer without the ADHD-like static, innovation sparks freely, and I've led our biggest updates yet with genuine presence and sustained focus. Private access made it possible, but we need NHS reform for everyone – no more gatekeeping relief, especially for overlapping conditions like anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD. If that's holding you back, know it's beatable.

"Best thing I ever did — I’ve never felt better. It’s also the sole reason I started GroupCani Ltd!” 💚

#MedicalCannabisUK #AnxietyDisorder #ADHD #UndiagnosedADHD

It all started during one of the darkest times of my life. I was dealing with severe panic attacks and an anxiety disorder that completely derailed my day-to-day. I was prescribed beta blockers and Prozac — and while I hoped they’d help, the reality was they barely touched the surface. I wasn’t living, I was surviving. I felt like I was losing my life.

That’s when I discovered medical cannabis.

I’d heard whispers about it being available legally in the UK, so I took a chance. I gave it a go — and honestly, I’ve never looked back. Medical cannabis didn’t just help manage my symptoms; it gave me my life back. I found stability, clarity, and confidence again. It helped me return to work — and I’ve been working ever since.

But it didn’t stop there.

Cannabis gave me the strength and energy to go further. I launched a Twitch channel where I could not only stream and have fun, but also build a supportive, stigma-free space for other medical cannabis patients. That small start has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of: a thriving community focused on education, advocacy, and safe access.

Today, I continue to help others learn about legal medical cannabis access in the UK. I advocate for safe, responsible use, and I work hard to show people that cannabis isn’t something to be ashamed of — it can be life-changing.

"This plant saved me — and now I’m committed to helping others find the same hope it gave me!" 💚

#MedicalCannabisUK #ChronicBackPain #JointAches #SocialAnxiety #ADHD