It began with Jorja.
A family’s experience. A change in the law. The start of a career in the medical cannabis industry.
A family facing the unthinkable
Jorja was born with a rare chromosome disorder. At around 10 months old it triggered severe epilepsy, and every seizure was potentially life threatening.
Refusing to accept nothing could be done
Doctors in Northern Ireland told the family to prepare to say goodbye. Robin researched evidence worldwide and spoke to clinicians and families in the US, Canada and Australia.
A change in UK law
Robin campaigned for the law to change. On 1 November 2018 cannabis based products for medicinal use became legal to prescribe in the UK.
Jorja's prescription
After Robin persuaded a private neurologist in London to help, Jorja became one of the first children in the UK, and the first after the November 2018 law change, to be prescribed medical cannabis. The family flew to London for repeat prescriptions.
Taking the family experience to Parliament
Robin gave written evidence to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee on access to medical cannabis. His evidence included the supply interruptions families faced.
A new patient advocacy partnership
In January 2020 Robin joined Cannaray as Patient Advocate Director. Jorja's prescription was fulfilled through that partnership.
Access remained fragile
The specialist prescribing for Jorja retired in 2021, highlighting how fragile access was for children. Robin continued to campaign, including at Parliament in 2022 alongside a public petition for NHS access.
From campaigner to clinic founder
Robin opened the clinic then known as the Jorja Emerson Centre, now Jorja Medical Cannabis, near Paddington, London, and gave a keynote at Cannabis Europa London 2023 on his journey from activist to business owner. Business of Cannabis reported Jorja as seizure free and thriving.
Industry leadership with an international outlook
Robin leads Jorja Revive and advises businesses, investors and organisations across the international medical cannabis, CBD and healthcare sectors. He continues to work on government relations and responsible industry standards.
My concern is the fight is not overRobin Emerson · LBC · 4 Dec 2018
This is Jorja’s personal story as reported. It is not evidence that any medicine will have the same outcome for another person.
A change measured in lives.
Approximate UK private prescriptions by 2022
The window of progress Robin described, compared with the previous 12 months
A UK story with a global reach
Moments.
From Patient Advocacy to Industry Leadership
The journey began with patient advocacy. The experience developed into years of commercial and operational involvement across the medical cannabis industry.
Securing and sustaining Jorja’s access taught Robin how the sector really works: supply relationships, specialist prescribing, pharmacy dispensing, regulation and the commercial pressures on every operator. That knowledge led to an executive role at Cannaray, to healthcare entrepreneurship through Jorja Medical Cannabis and Jorja Revive, to commercial partnerships across the industry and, today, to international advisory work for businesses, investors and organisations.
Work With Robin.
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Market entry, product development, distribution, investment and board advisory.
Enquiries welcomed from anywhere in the world.