Medicinal cannabis now legal for doctors to prescribe

MEDICAL cannabis is now legal for doctors to prescribe in cases of “exceptional clinical need”.

As of yesterday, cannabisbased products can be prescribed, but only by specialist hospital doctors, not GPs.

Those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain due to chemotherapy could all be given the option to get the drug on prescription.

However, campaigners say the new guidelines are so restrictive that it will stop some of the patients most in need of the treatment from receiving it.

The change was announced by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who confirmed doctors in Wales, England and Scotland will be able to prescribe cannabis-based products. The new policy covers medicines which contain the drug described as containing “cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative”.

The UK now joins countries such as Germany who have already given the drug the go-ahead.

It follows high-profile campaigns on behalf of Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell who both suffer severe forms of epilepsy.

Hannah Deacon, Alfie’s mum, claimed the cannabis used to treat her son transformed his life, but felt the guidance meant other families wouldn’t benefit.

She said: “I speak daily to 17 families who I am worried will feel let down and deeply disappointed by the guidance today. I do not think it will not give the specialists the confidence they need to prescribe for their children.”

Billy, 13, received national attention after his medicinal cannabis was confiscated by the Home Office after a trip to Canada to obtain the medication.

His mother Charlotte, says medicinal cannabis products help to ease his symptoms.

After years of campaigning, the Home Office gave him a shortterm licence and the DoH issued an emergency licence to allow him access to cannabis oil medication.

She said: “What started out as a journey for me as Billy’s mummy to help my little boy has become something much bigger.”

In a statement, the DoH said: “It is important that prescribing decisions are taken by expert clinicians informed by evidence on quality, safety and effectiveness.

“Therefore, prescribing of cannabis-based products for medicinal use is restricted to clinicians listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

“Cannabis-based products for medicinal use will not be available from General Practitioners.”

Cannabis remains a Class B drug and that isn’t going to change.

Therefore, possession will still carry an unlimited fine and up to five years’ jail, rising to 14 years for dealers.