Paul Kehoe
Question:314. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health his plans to legislate for the production of a crop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/19]
View answerTuesday, 19 February 2019
Questions (314)
Written answers
Under current legislation - the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016, and the Regulations made thereunder- it is an offence to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a Ministerial licence. A related piece of Irish legislation, the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2017, limits the purposes for which such licences for cannabis can be issued, for example for forensic analysis or research - including research involving the cultivation of cannabis for use in approved clinical trials.
Policy to date has not permitted the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes and no licences have been issued for this activity. However recent developments on access to cannabis for medical use may prompt a review of this position in the future.
However, the Department's priority at this time is the sourcing of suitable quality approved, affordable, finished cannabis products for medical purposes.