§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has had with the British Medical Association on the legislation of cannabis for medical use; [6067]
(2) what recent assessment he has made of professional opinion in respect of the legislation of cannabis for medical use. [6068]
§ Ms JowellWe have not had any discussions with the British Medical Association on this subject. Department of Health officials, including professionals, are keeping the available research into the medicinal use of cannabis under review. At present, the evidence is inconclusive. The key point is that a cannabis—based medicine has not 175W been scientifically demonstrated to be safe, efficacious and of suitable quality. This is what has to happen before any drug can be licensed for medicinal use. Misuse of drugs legislation allows for research involving cannabis under Home Office licence. Any proposed clinical trial would have to be submitted to the Medicines Control Agency for approval or exemption in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. Any application for a licence or a certificate, or both, would be carefully considered.