Medicinal cannabis report not strong enough

A Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) report that recommends cannabis-based products be made available to some patients with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, and those suffering nausea during chemotherapy, does not go far enough a local campaigner has stated.

The announcement last week came after a Private Members’ Medicinal Use Regulation Bill was put before the Dail last year.

However, Alex Baizert, who suffers from epilepsy, says that the range of users should be broader, but experts say there’s insufficient data’ and have said a five-year study will be required before that can happen.

‘ This has been legal in the likes of the United States for years. Why can’t they look for their data to show that it helps people,’ he stated.

Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, who tabled the Dail Bill last year, says the report did not go far enough because it excluded patients with other medical conditions from accessing cannabis.