Ireland: report recommends the use of medical cannabis

A major report, to be released later today by Irish Health Minister Simon Harris, recommends making medical cannabis available to patients with specific medical conditions.

The report makes eight recommendations and was compiled by the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority.

In particular, it states that cannabis has potential therapeutic benefits, but that much of the evidence still needs to be established through clinical research involving patients.

It also distinguishes between products containing cannabidiol (CBD), and those containing THC. Since CBD products are not considered controlled substances, they may be distributed under current law.

The report recommends that cannabis be made available to patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, when conventional treatments are no longer effective. The treatment of chronic pain, one of the Some tried-and-true uses for cannabis, will not lead to the use of medical cannabis.

The distribution of medical cannabis should be organized and regulated by a central authority, within a new legal framework, which could conduct a five-year pilot program.

«Access to medical cannabis is a political and societal decision that must balance the lack of scientific evidence with patient demand,» the report will state.

The Irish Minister of Health considers this report a «significant step toward developing a policy on this issue. This is an area where I am happy to move forward, but I am also obliged to proceed in accordance with the best clinical advice.».

In particular, this report tracks the progress of the text of Legalization of medical cannabis in Ireland last December.

Via Irish Times