Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Deputy for raising the matter, which I understand refers to the availability of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate and control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland.

Cannabis is a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This means that its sale, supply, distribution and possession is unlawful except for the purpose of research. All Schedule 1 substances are substances which are considered as having no medicinal use and, accordingly, cannabis cannot be prescribed or dispensed in Ireland for medicinal use.

The Department of Health and Children is aware that claims have been made in respect of cannabis and its possible benefits for patients suffering from certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. However, as the law currently stands, it is not possible for a cannabis extract to be licensed in Ireland for medicinal use or for a general practitioner to prescribe it. No exemptions or exceptions are applicable and the Minister for Health and Children does not intend to change the law in this regard.

The Department of Health and Children and Health Service Executive are participating in the steering group on the development of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016 established by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. This will involve a review of the operation of current drug treatment services and development of services in the future. The Department of Health and Children will this year review and update the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2006 to consider modernising this legislation and the regulation of controlled drugs in general. I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue.

See this speech in context