HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc1099-100W
Peter Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further milestones remain in the process which could lead to the legalisation of medicinal cannabis; when the final decision will be made; and when he expects that medicinal cannabis could be made available in the UK. [117882]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an agency of the Department of Health, is currently evaluating the safety, quality and effectiveness of a medical preparation of a cannabis-based drug developed and extensively tested by GW Pharmaceuticals. This assessment by the MHRA is one which all prospective new medicines have to go through and is designed to protect public health.

Concurrently, in consultation with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Government is considering how the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 would apply to prescribed cannabis-based medicine in the event that the MHRA approves the safety, quality and effectiveness of the product.

If marketing approval is forthcoming, we will seek Parliament's agreement to any necessary changes to the Regulations. Our aim is to ensure ready and early availability of the drug as a prescribed medicine once marketing approval has been received. It is a possibility his could be done by the end of the year.

Forward to