Cannabis oil on prescription within a month

Medical cannabis will be available on prescription in the UK within a month, as the Home office announces the "rescheduling" of cannabis-derived medicines in Parliament. 

 

Specialist doctors will be able to prescribe the drug to those suffering chronic pain, severe epilepsy or nausea as a result of chemotherapy

 

Parliament are set to make the announcement in Parliament within a fortnight, there are currently an estimated 28 million people with chronic pain in the UK, the MS Society stated that 10,000 suffers could benefit. 

 

The routine funding of treatment on the NHS is de to be reviewed by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence who will issue its findings next year. Currently the plan is for decisions to be made on a case by case basis.

 

George Freeman, a former science minister, urged Britain to "lead the world in the enlightened regulation of modern medicine". He suggested the changes could mean a "huge business opportunity" for Britain, which produces 60 per cent of the world's cannabis for pharmaceutical research.

 

The move will see cannabis-derived medicinal products move out of Schedule 1, the strictest category for drugs with potential professional uses which require a Home Office licence, and into Schedule 2.

 

The rescheduling applies only to cannabis oil that contains THC, an active chemical which produces "highs" when used recreationally. Cannabis oil which does not contain THC can be purchased at high-street stores.

 

Genevieve Edwards, from the MS Society, said: "This is very encouraging progress for thousands of people with MS who have been forced to choose between living with relentless pain and muscle spasm or breaking the law."

 

The Prime Minister had long opposed relaxation of rules on marijuana.

Since the summer, families with the support of clinicians have been able to apply to a panel of medical experts for permission to use cannabis oil. The decision by Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, to allow legal prescription of medical cannabis by specialists follows a review by England's chief medical officer earlier this year.

 

After the rescheduling this autumn, users will no longer have to try many other opiate-based epileptic drugs before being allowed to use cannabis oil.

 

For specialist legal advice contact the team on 0845 603 0708