Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Health if, in view of the publicity in recent days surrounding the possible exemption on the usage of cannabis-based medicines, he will provide clarification on this and the way in which a person would proceed with an application for an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2016 and the Regulations made thereunder.

You will already be aware, it is open for an Irish registered doctor to apply for a licence for a cannabis-based product for an individual named patient, under their care. The appropriateness of any particular treatment is a matter between the patient and their doctor, I have no role in this process.

This information has been provided to individuals who contacted my Department for information and has been stated publicly by myself on a number of occasions. However, to date, just one application has been received from a doctor and following review, a licence has been granted to that doctor.

An application for a controlled drug licence for a Schedule 1 drug such as cannabis, is a very serious matter and can only be made for a named patient by a doctor registered with the Medical Council. I would expect that an application would be from a doctor actively involved in the treatment of their patient.

The main elements of an application will include:

- An outline of the treatment the patient has received to date and justification from the doctor as to why it is appropriate in their patient’s specific circumstances to prescribe a Schedule 1 drug.

- If the patient’s consultant is not the applicant, the views, if any, of the consultant in relation to the application.

- Details of the cannabis-based product which it is proposed to prescribe and administer to the patient.

- The source of the cannabis-based product.

- The arrangements for the ongoing monitoring and care of the patient once the cannabis-based treatment has commenced.

No other exemption exists in Irish legislation for the usage of cannabis for medicinal purposes.