Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether amending the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which is the last remaining barrier to the introduction of a cannabis-derived medication for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, will be achieved by way of Ministerial Regulation such as SI 328 of 1988 or if a more comprehensive amendment is required; and the most likely time frame for each of course of action [29702/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is currently examining how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients for the treatment of MS in Ireland. In that respect, Department officials have been engaging with experts to identify how best to legally describe authorised cannabis-based medicinal products while maintaining existing controls on cannabis and cannabis substances. While the legislative amendments required can be made by means of statutory instrument, the legal issues are complex and it is not possible at this stage to set out a time frame.