§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to fund research into the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. [24042]
§ Mr. BoatengDepartment of Health officials, including professionals, are keeping the available research into the therapeutic use and risks of cannabis under review. Since 1996, expenditure on this activity through the Policy Research Programme has amounted to £10,705. The Department has not recently commissioned basic research in this area. The Medical Research Council provides support for two grants in the general area of therapeutic use of cannabis, amounting to £149,000, both on the role of cannabinoid receptors. The MRC do not support any work specifically into the treatment of particular conditions with cannabis.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times cannabis was prescribed in England between 1968 and 1971; and for which illnesses. [24038]
§ Mr. BoatengIn this period data for 1970 only are held. In 1970 no prescriptions were dispensed for cannabis.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to meet the British Medical Association to discuss the therapeutic use of cannabis. [24327]
§ Mr. BoatengWe have no plans to meet the British Medical Association (BMA) to discuss the therapeutic use of cannabis in the near future. However, the Chief Medical Officer and Department of Health officials are meeting with the BMA on 10 March to discuss this issue.