Put cannabis on the NHS, urge nurses

NURSES are calling for cannabis to be prescribed on the NHS.

The Royal College of Nursing says the Class B drug should be used to treat patients with chronic pain and ease symptoms of conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

Union members voted overwhelmingly to lobby the Government to decriminalise the drug for medicinal use.

But experts last night insisted there was little evidence to suggest cannabis was an effective treatment. And the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned that its use increases the risk of developing psychosis, depression and anxiety.

Yesterday, nurses said they were regularly treating patients who had ‘become criminals’ by self-medicating.

RCN chief executive Janet Davies said: ‘We’ve heard that nurses are already caring for people who are self-medicating illegally. That’s very difficult for them. These are people who want to try something because they are suffering.

‘If people feel there’s something that will relieve that pain, it’s worth a try.’

The RCP’s Colin Drummond said: ‘Cannabis carries significant mental health risks. Its use increases the risk of developing psychosis, depression and anxiety.’