HC Deb 18 December 1997 vol 303 c255W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications have been made for a licence to research and trial the medical use of cannabis or cannabis derivatives; and on what date each licence was granted; [20629]

(2) if he will list the individuals and organisations which have current licences from his Department permitting the research and trial of cannabis or cannabis derivatives for medical use. [20628]

Mr. George Howarth

According to existing records, a total of twenty two applications have been made for cannabis related research. All were granted and nineteen are currently valid. Of these, six are directly concerned with medical research. The licensee and date of grant of those six are as follows:

  • Dr. G. M. Stern, Middlesex Hospital—11 August 1988
  • Dr. P. Taylor, Bethlehem Hospital—27 February 1989
  • Dr. A. Holdcroft, Hammersmith Hospital—1 December 1994
  • Dr. R. Pertwee, University of Aberdeen—7 April 1974
  • Professor A. Smith, University of Oxford—1 August 1993
  • Mr. D. Todd, James Paget Hospital—1 May 1995.

The first three of these licences have now lapsed; the others remain in force.