The Medical Cannabis Bike Tour Foundation is a non-profit organization. We fund independent research into medical cannabis and we use a sporting event to promote our message.
The event began in 2012 with just two riders. In the years since it has attracted participants from around the world and bike tours have cycled through Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Slovenia/Italy and the Czech Republic/Austria.
The format is always the same: 3 days, 420km of cycling through some of the most wonderful scenery in Europe. Along the way, the Medical Cannabis Bike Tour spreads the message of our cause to a new part of Europe each time and wins many new friends in the process!
Since we started we have raised more than 400,000 € in sponsorship money which has been used to fund independent clinical trials by a team of scientists based in Madrid. Their research focuses on the effects of cannabinoids THC and CBD on glioblastoma (brain cancer).
The Medical Cannabis Bike Tour supports:
1) Medical cannabis research. We fund independent studies by doctors and scientists who are combining cannabinoids with existing anti-cancer drugs (see our news section for updates on the research program).
2) Legal rights. Working with ICAM (International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines), we support legal efforts to achieve equal rights for medical cannabis users at The European Court of Human Rights.
3) Medical cannabis awareness. Through our bike ride we are challenging popular misconceptions about cannabis, creating public and media awareness and bringing attention to our cause.
Why sport? Because it is a great way to challenge preconceptions people have about cannabis. It is also a great way to unify people. The bike tour is proud of its membership, with participating riders from all over Europe and North America. We are truly an international force!
Why medical cannabis? Cannabis has been used as a traditional herbal treatment throughout history. Today, there is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that cannabis assists with a range of medical conditions and scientific research suggests cannabinoids can prevent tumour growth and kill cancer cells.
Why isn’t more scientific research being done? The Medical Cannabis Bike Tour began as a result of this frustration. We believe the plant’s legal status in Europe is holding back comprehensive research. We knew it was time to take this issue into our own hands.