Star Sir Patrick backs drug plea for boy, 6

SIR Patrick Stewart has backed the call for a boy to be given medicinal cannabis to treat his epilepsy.

Alfie Dingley, six, suffers from a rare condition and can have up to 150 potentially life-threatening seizures a month. He has been in hospital three times since returning from Holland four weeks ago, where his symptoms improved after he was treated with cannabis oil.

His parents, Drew Dingley and Hannah Deacon, want the Government to let him use the medication, a banned substance in the UK. Actor Sir Patrick, who uses medicinal cannabis to treat his arthritis while living in California, met Alfie and his family.

He said: “How could one not support Alfie? Hearing what his life has been and the benefits given to him by being able to use medicinal marijuana. There has never been a stronger case for the legalisation of medical marijuana.

“I have been registered for medical marijuana in California for over three years and have found it immensely beneficial.

“I had eight steroid injections in my fingers and knuckles, which was about as painful as anything one could imagine, because medicinal cannabis is not available here.”

Alfie and his parents, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, were to hand the 380,000-strong petition to No 10 Downing Street yesterday. Mr Dingley said: “Alfie’s condition is worsening. What we’re asking for is a medical grade product, prescribed in the way any pain killer is.”

Figures including Joanna Lumley and Sir Richard Branson also back the campaign.