Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
292. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing patients with a ministerial licence to access the products that are approved under the medicinal cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8542/24]
View answerA Ministerial Licence issued pursuant to Section 14 for the Misuse of Drugs entitles the clinician licensee to prescribe, import, supply , possess and administer a cannabis-based product containing Tetrahydrocannabinol.
The decision on what to prescribe is a clinical decision in which neither the Minister for Health nor the Department of Health has a role.
As the products are Schedule 1 controlled drugs in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 the necessary licences must be in place under the Misuse of Drugs Act, other than the clinicians, for possession and supply of the prescribed cannabis-based products by other stakeholders if required.
