Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:1079 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on calls for legislation on the use of cannabis for medical purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16278/02]
Written Answers. - Cannabis Use.
Cannabis is a schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984. It is also one of the controlled drugs which has been designated for the purposes of section 13 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.
The nature of the controls provided in this manner are those which, according to the current UN Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, must be applied to substances, such as cannabis and cannabis resin, for which there is no current recognised medical or scientific use. Under these laws, the manufacture, possession, supply, and prescription and use of the drug are prohibited, except under licence from the Minister for Health and Children.
By virtue of the designation under section 13 of the Act, licences may be granted only for the purpose of research, forensic analysis, or in respect of the use of the drug as an essential intermediate or starting material in an industrial manufacturing process. Licences may also be granted in the case of certain low tetrahydrocannabinol plant varieties of cannabis for the growing of hemp. Furthermore, the Minister must be satisfied in regard to the scientific or medical justification offered in support of the grant of any licence involving any of the designated controlled drugs such as cannabis.
I am aware that claims are being made in respect of cannabis about the possible benefits for patients suffering from certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. However, these medical claims are not currently supported by the results of recognised medical research.
I have, however, previously stated that if an application were to be made to me for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984, and the orders and regulations made thereunder, which proposed the conduct of research into the therapeutic use of cannabis, in circumstances where the approval of the Irish Medicines Board under the Control of Clinical Trials Act, 1987 was forthcoming and where approval of the appropriate ethics committee under that Act were obtained, I would be prepared to give serious consideration to the grant of the required licence(s) under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. The Irish Medicines Board under the Control of Clinical Trials Acts 1987 and 1990, has now granted permission to a UK based pharmaceutical company to conduct a clinical research trial at a hospital in Ireland to determine the effectiveness of a cannabis based medicinal extract in controlling cancer related pain. This sponsoring company is already involved in similar clinical trials in the UK.
Arising from this, applications for licences were received from the hospital in question to prescribe, administer, supply and be in possession of this cannabis based extract and for a licence and certificate to import vials of the cannabis based medicinal extract to be used in the clinical trial. These applications were reviewed and considered by my officials and as they fall within the conditions required under the Misuse of Drugs Act for research the appropriate licences have been granted.
My Department will monitor the situation in relation to the outcome of these clinical trials.