Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); the reason a reply has not been received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48058/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A reply issued to this correspondence, which relates to the possible use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, on 8 January 2009. The current legal position in Ireland in relation to cannabis is that it is a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. All Schedule 1 substances are substances which are considered as having no medicinal use and the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is unlawful except for the purposes of research.

My Department 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. As the law currently stands, however, it would not be possible for a cannabis extract to be licensed here for medicinal use or for a doctor to prescribe it. There are no exemptions or exceptions applicable. Any person entering the country with medicinal cannabis could be charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act with unauthorised possession and I do not intend to change the law in this regard.

The issue of whether Article 75 of the Schengen Agreement, which allows travellers to carry narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances for the purposes of medical treatment between Member States, has been ratified by Ireland is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.