Irish Daily Mirror

TAKING CANNABIS OIL FROM BILLY IS A DEATH SENTENCE

- Jilly.beattie@trinitymir­ror.com

“Where Billy goes, his oil goes too and we have travelled extensivel­y across the UK and even on a number of occasions into the House of Commons for meetings. “The oil has been in my handbag and it has never been confiscate­d, queried or even examined.” The

Mother and son at Co Tyrone home yesterday Mirror understand­s Billy’s GP was also ordered to attend a formal meeting in Belfast to discuss the prescripti­ons.

A source said: “This family practition­er was required to attend a meeting with officials from the Department of Health’s drug enforcemen­t unit.

“The details of the meeting remain a confidenti­al matter.”

Charlotte added: “I am frightened and angry that these people have acted in this way.

“They are putting my son’s life at risk. This has made matters very difficult and unpleasant for a wellrespec­ted, experience­d and hugelysens­ible will GP who has only ever had his patients’ best interests at heart.

“My concern is that he could have been threatened to have his medical licence suspended or even removed.

“He has done nothing wrong...but someone has. Whoever came up with the idea, whoever signed off the decision, whoever supported them, they have done something wrong.”

THCA is tetrahydro­cannabinol­ic acid. It is a non-psychoacti­ve cannabinoi­d that turns into psychoacti­ve THC when exposed to sufficient heat.

It is used in epilepsy for its anticonvul­sant properties and also used to treat chronic pain. A Home Office spokesman said: “This is a devolved matter. It is a matter for the Department of Health Northern Ireland to determine and consider any controlled drug licensing applicatio­ns from companies and individual­s.

“The Home Office recognises that people with chronic pain and debilitati­ng illnesses are looking to alleviate their symptoms.

“However, it is important that medicines are thoroughly tested to ensure they meet rigorous standards before being placed on the market, so that doctors and patients are assured of their efficacy, quality and safety.”

 ??  ?? DEVOTED FIGHT FOR LIFE Catherine and Billy Caldwell, who has severe epilepsy
DEVOTED FIGHT FOR LIFE Catherine and Billy Caldwell, who has severe epilepsy
 ??  ?? PRECIOUS Catherine carries drug everywhere
PRECIOUS Catherine carries drug everywhere

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