As the Deputy is aware, under existing legislation, medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis for medical use may apply for a licence to do so. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the granting of such a licence must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
To date four licences in respect of four individual patients have been granted.