Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MEDICAL CANNABIS TO BE LEGAL
FREE PROPERTY GUIDE INSIDE.. Ulster mum wins battle to have 50-year law overturned
MEDICAL cannabis is set to be legalised after an Ulster mum’s battle to save the life of her 12-year-old son.
The Government U-turn after a 50-year period of the drug’s criminalisation, began yesterday following a swift review by the UK’S top doctor.
Dame Sally Davies was asked to spend eight weeks evaluating medical marijuana but her conclusion was announced after just five days. She told the Government the herbal medication should be “prescribed under controlled conditions by registered practitioners for medical benefit”.
It means children like Billy Caldwell are within grasp of having it prescribed by their GP.
Mum Charlotte said: “He not only climbed the mountain, he has moved the mountain. It’s a victory for common sense.”
at the scheduling of cannabis-related medicinal products.
“I would like to thank the chief medical advisor for her initial review and have now asked my independent advisory committee to commence the second stage of this process.
“When I have received its advice I will consider what next steps need to be taken.”
Dame Sally’s report has advised that all cannabis-related medicinal products should be considered in part two of his review.
Charlotte, 50, said: “I’m emotional and thrilled and exhausted but mostly I’m excited for the potential this has to help children, adults and families across the whole of the UK.
“Dame Sally was asked by Sajid to spend two months studying the proposal but she only needed to spend a week to come to a clear conclusion, and she came back saying there was conclusive evidence of the medical benefits of cannabinoids.
“Sajid said he would act on her recommendation and that means removing medicinal cannabis from being a schedule one drug.
“It follows then that our clinicians and medical practitioners will be able to prescribe this natural wonder drug. “Now the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will have their say in 21 days on whether medical cannabis should be rescheduled. The need is there and now the will is there.
“Dame Sally was furnished with the clinical data from across the world and she has seen how medicinal cannabis has proven therapeutic benefits.
“She has said cannabis should be prescribed under controlled conditions by registered practitioners for medical benefit and that is what we’ve been asking for. We as parents knew the benefits, now the UK will see the benefits and we have a chance to lead the world on this.
“Our Families4access campaign group has estimated that today, 1.1 million people in the UK are suffering with illness and conditions that could be helped by medical cannabis.
“I feel that is a modest estimate. I believe that not only will our children and our loved ones will better served medically but many could be saved from a life without quality.
“And I hope and believe with all my heart, that medicinal cannabis, if treated properly, if acted on correctly, if prescribed with care by our clinicians and doctors who have been trained by experts, that it could save our ailing NHS. I have never been more proud.”
The Government has no plans to legalise cannabis and recreational use of cannabis will remain illegal with the penalties for unauthorised supply and possession unchanged.
I’m thrilled & emotional but excited by potential to help children CHARLOTTE CALDWELL CO TYRONE YESTERDAY