Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the use of cannabis for medical reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, 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. It is not the intention of Government to legalise the use of cannabis. Notwithstanding the Government’s reluctance to loosen the controls on cannabis generally, Department officials have engaged with experts on how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland. Draft Regulations amending the Misuse of Drugs Regulations were prepared, including amendments necessary to enable cannabis-based medicinal product Sativex to be prescribed in Ireland.

In order to obtain input from stakeholders and interested parties on the text of these Draft Regulations, the proposed amending text and an explanatory document were published on the Department's website inviting written submissions. The deadline for submissions was Friday 6th September. Over 90 submissions were received and are currently being reviewed by my Department. Arising from the consultation process, the Draft Orders and Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations will be submitted to Government seeking the Government's approval to notify them to the EU Commission and Member States under the Technical Standards Directive. At the end of the 3 month EU notification period, Government's approval will be sought to make the relevant Order. It is anticipated that the new Regulations will be introduced early next year.