Cannabis: Medical Treatments

(asked on 12th September 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the potential effect of legalising cannabis-oil medicines on the availability of cannabis as a gateway drug for social use.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 9th October 2018

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has committed to his officials working closely with the Home Office on legalising the use of cannabis-based medicines, including cannabis-oil. There has not been a meeting between the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary on the potential effect of legalising cannabis-oil medicines on the availability of cannabis as a gateway drug for social use.

An impact assessment is being prepared alongside proposals to consider wider impacts of this policy. There are known harms associated with cannabis use and cannabis remains a controlled drug. The Government has no plans to legalise it for recreational use. As with other medicines in Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (such as morphine and fentanyl), it will continue to be an offence contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to possess a cannabis based medicine without prescription or lawful authority.

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