Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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830. To ask the Minister for Health his views in regard to a submission (details supplied) in relation to the liberalisation of cannabis laws here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1110/14]

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. However, my Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for a number of medical issues. Notwithstanding the Government’s reluctance to loosen the controls on cannabis generally, draft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations are being prepared to enable authorised cannabis-based medicinal products to be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients. The draft 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 draft Regulations will be notified in the first quarter of 2014.