About 20,000 people in the UK are holders of a card that costs £20 that essentially means that they can buy medical cannabis without the risk of arrest.
The 'Cancard' scheme was introduced last year and allows some of the three and a half million people who are eligible for it to buy cannabis for medicinal use only.
People with illnesses like multiple sclerosis, depression, and cancer can apply for the card through their GP, with the aim that they will not be slapped with a fine, a caution, or potentially a five-year prison sentence if they are caught buying cannabis.
According to The Times, 96 percent of those who hold the card were able to evade arrest when caught with cannabis, simply by presenting their card to the coppers.
Sufferers from qualified illnesses have been able to get hold of medicinal weed for two years now, but because it is so strictly regulated only a very small amount of those people have been able to get a prescription.
That means that people have been forced to buy cannabis from the illegal market in order to treat themselves.
The National Police Chiefs Council have supported the scheme, and officers on the beat have been made aware of the existence of the cards.
However, they are attempting to find ways to stop the card being exploited by criminals and organised crime.
Even those who have medical issues can still be arrested and fined for carrying the illegal substance, but it is hoped that the presentation of the card will stop those with one getting into trouble.
It is thought that only about 100 people - perhaps less - have been able to obtain an NHS prescription for medicinal cannabis since it was legalised in November 2018.
There are only a few types of cannabis-based medicine that can be prescribed at the moment, Epidiolex - for children with epilepsy - nabilone - for people undergoing chemotherapy - and Sativex - for people with MS.
Other medications that are as-yet-unlicensed are referred to as 'specials'.
However, a YouGov survey from last year found that around three percent of the UK population - which is about 1.4 million people - were using cannabis to treat some sort of medical condition.
Two million more people who are not currently using cannabis for medicinal purposes could be eligible to receive a Cancard, according to the research.
All that is required to get one is a confirmation from the patient's GP as to their condition.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, Interesting, Cannabis, Drugs, Weird, Health