Dying cancer patient pleads for cannabis

● Man diagnosed with brain tumour was prescribed the oil by a doctor in Holland

A dying cancer patient is pleading with the Home Office to return the cannabis oil he relies on to ease his symptoms.

Colin Robson, 44, was diagnosed a year ago with a brain tumour. He travelled to Amsterdam in 2018 where he was prescribed the oil by a doctor and he says it eases his pain.

But now the oil has been confiscated by Border Force, leaving him more susceptible to seizures and at risk of having his chemotherapy stopped.

Mr Robson, from Boddam, near Peterhead, has appealed the decision and provided the prescription from the doctor in the Netherlands and from his own GP in Aberdeen but has been rejected.

His own GP had argued the CBD oil had improved Mr Robson’s general wellbeing, including his mood, energy, pain control and appetite.

It is currently illegal to import cannabis-based products for medicinal use into the UK without the prescription of a specialist doctor and the appropriate Home Office licence.

But Mr Robson has appealed to the authorities to give him back his oil, which was taken to a depot south of the Border.

However, Mr Robson has appealed to the authorities to return the oil he claims is making a difference to his life.

Mr Robson, who was suffering three or four seizures daily before using it, said: “I wish I didn’t need it but this cancer is just so aggressive.

“It has come down to me having a steady supply of this oil.

“Until I get it back they are going to stop my chemotherapy. It is important for them to release this.” Ministers announced changes to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis to patients last year, following several high-profile cases including that of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell.

A government spokesman said: “We sympathise with those families dealing so courageously with challenging conditions and the government has changed the law so specialist doctors can prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use where there is a clinical evidence of benefit.

“It is unlawful to import cannabis-based products for medicinal use to the UK without the prescription of a specialist doctor on the GMC’S specialist register and a Home Office importation licence.

“Border Force has a duty to enforce the law and stop the unlawful import of controlled substances into the UK.”

Home Secretary Sajid Javid decided to relax the rules about the circumstances in which medicinal cannabis can be prescribed in November 2018.

The move to reschedule the products came after expert advice from a specially commissioned review.

It also followed two major cases involving two young epilepsy sufferers, Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell, whose conditions appeared to be helped by cannabis oil.

Their families welcomed the change of direction on the prescription of cannabis.