Lauren O’Sullivan is a member of the advisory panel on behalf of Ignition Law to Patient Led Engagement for Access (PLEA) which is a volunteer led non profit community.

PLEA challenges inequalities in access to cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK. Whilst the 2018 Schedule permitted the prescribed use of medical cannabis, patients are still faced with multiple barriers including misinformation, stigma and financial constraints preventing access to potentially life changing medicine. Therefore PLEA, with a focus on harm reduction, works to engage patients, doctors and researchers to remove these barriers to access and accelerate the integration of medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare.

Ignition Law first came across PLEA at an event, attended by Alex McPherson and Lauren Long, at which both were impressed by the transformational stories delivered by the patient speakers about the impact of medicinal cannabis on their health conditions and lives. The founder, Gavin Sathianathan, is an existing client with a Harvard MBA and who is a great community player also involved in an SME championing cannabinoid solutions for long-term chronic suffering. Lauren O’Sullivan was introduced to PLEA by Alex, who was inspired to assist PLEA given Lauren’s shared values with PLEA and interest in health and wellbeing. Additionally, Lauren was also motivated by the pioneering patient led team who have turned their lived experiences into solutions for others.