Home Office says boy, six, cannot use cannabis to ease his epilepsy

THE GOVERNMENT has ruled out allowing a six-year-old boy permission to use cannabis in an effort to combat a rare form of childhood epilepsy, despite mounting pressure from MPs for clemency.

The Home Office said the drug could not “be practically prescribed, administered or supplied to the public”, meaning Alfie Dingley would not be granted a licence to take the drug.

It came as members of the all-party parliamentary group on drug policy reform called on the Home Office to assist with Alfie’s plight, in an effort to reduce his seizures and hospital visits brought on by his condition.

In a statement, a Home Office spokesman said: “We recognise that people with chronic pain and debilitating illnesses are looking to alleviate their symptoms.

“However, it is important that medicines are thoroughly tested to ensure they meet rigorous standards before being placed on the market, so that doctors and patients are assured of their efficacy, quality and safety.

“Cannabis is listed as a Schedule 1 drug, as in its raw form it is not recognised in the UK as having any medicinal benefit and is therefore subject to strict control restrictions.

“This means it cannot be practically prescribed, administered, or supplied to the public in the UK, and can only be used for research under a Home Office licence.

“The Home Office would not issue a licence to enable the personal consumption of a Schedule 1 drug.”

Last September, Alfie went to the Netherlands to take a cannabis-based medication prescribed by a paediatric neurologist, and saw his seizures reduce in number, duration and severity.