Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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714. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45594/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under current legislation - the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016, and the Regulations made thereunder- it is an offence to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a Ministerial licence. A related piece of Irish legislation, the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 174 of 2017), limits the purposes for which such licences for cannabis can be issued, for example for forensic analysis or research - including research involving the cultivation of cannabis for use in approved clinical trials.

An application procedure for licences for cultivation of cannabis is currently being developed. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is tasked with the establishment and administration of this licensing system, including reviewing applications. This is not yet operational.

Anyone wishing to obtain specific guidance on the regulatory requirements for medical cannabis cultivation are advised to contact the HPRA directly. The HPRA's contact details are: telephone number: +353-1-6764971; fax number: +353-1-6767836; e-mail: info@hpra.ie.