Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Billy not only climbed the mountain..he has MOVED the mountain
Campaigning mother hails victory in battle for medicine
MEDICINAL cannabis could be available on prescription in less than a month.
The breakthrough came after the UK’S Chief Medical Officer said the plant could “be prescribed under controlled conditions by registered practitioners for medical benefit”.
That means GPS and clinicians would be free to sign prescriptions for micro-dosing of patients.
Dame Sally Davies’ recommendations yesterday were the first time the Government has formally acknowledged cannabis can have health benefits.
She said: “There is now conclusive evidence of the therapeutic benefit of cannabis-based medicinal products for certain medical conditions and reasonable evidence of therapeutic benefit in several other medical conditions.
“I therefore recommend the whole class of cannabis based medicinal products be moved out of schedule 1.”
Charlotte Caldwell, whose son Billy suffers from horrific epileptic seizures and who has led a campaign for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, said: “My Billy, the wee boy has not only climbed the mountain, he has moved the mountain.
“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 UK.”
Dame Sally added the move would also help improve the evidence base for research into the drugs “maximising benefits to patients”.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid ordered the review last week after Billy arrived in the UK with his mother carrying his medicinal cannabis. The anti-epilepsy drug was confiscated on the orders of the Home Office and within days Billy’s life hung by a thread as he suffered repeated seizures.
His mum was given a special licence for 20 days to have her son medicated with the oils manufactured by Tilray Canada and tomorrow he will be given the second bottle.
It is understood Charlotte is to be given a special licence to be allowed to administer the medication herself at home in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
Mr Javid said: “Recent cases involving sick children made it clear to me that we needed to take a fresh look