§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has Commissioned on the use of cannabis and its safety; what the cost of this research was; and where and when it will be Published. [14992]
§ Mr. BoatengDepartment of Health officials, including Professionals, are Keeping the available research into the risks and medical use 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. 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 in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. Any application for a licence or a certificate, or both, would be considered in the normal way.