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UK: Exploring the Sunderland MMJ boom

Six years ago, medical cannabis became legal in the UK. The drug, which has to be prescribed by specialist doctors, is used to treat conditions including OCD and chronic pain. While the NHS says more "evidence" is needed for a wider rollout, the industry is said to be booming. The BBC followed one production line from Portugal to Sunderland to see the process up close.

Tucked away on an industrial estate by the River Wear is the UK's largest medical cannabis processing site. Six years ago, 42 people worked here in Sunderland. The workforce now stands at about 200 - and it's growing.

The production line begins more than 1,000 miles (1,609km) away in Lisbon, Portugal. In a secured facility, seven greenhouses spanning 20,000 sq m hold about 7,500 cannabis plants each, with each crop having an estimated market value of $4m (£3.12m).

The company, Curaleaf UK, says its exports of medical cannabis trebled in the last year, with 200kg (441lb) now arriving at the site each month. One in 25 of its 16,000 clients live in the region, with chronic pain being the most common reason for prescription.

Read more at BBC

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