§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to encourage pharmaceutical companies to apply for a Home Office licence to research and trial cannabis and cannabis derivatives for medical use. [21108]
§ Mr. BoatengIt is Government policy to support well founded medical research. It is for the pharmaceutical industry to make such applications for research in this area as it sees fit. The issuing of licences is a matter for the Home Office and officials have indicated that they are willing to meet pharmaceutical companies to sort out any problems in this regard.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will meet representatives of the BMA to discuss its reports on the therapeutic uses of cannabis. [21107]
§ Mr. BoatengWe have no plans to meet the British Medical Association. However, Department of Health officials will meet representatives of the BMA in the new year to discuss its report on the therapeutic uses of cannabis.