Cannabis prescriptions could start in two weeks

Prescriptions for medicinal cannabis in cases classed as exceptional could be available within a fortnight.

An expert panel, announced by the Government amid the outcry over the case of severely epileptic boy Billy Caldwell, yesterday began accepting applications for licences for the drug from senior clinicians.

The Home Office panel will make “swift” recommendations to ministers, who will then sign off on applications within two to four weeks. If given approval, doctors can then start writing prescriptions for their patient, but will have to show there is an “exceptional clinical need”.