<p>The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has committed to his officials working closely with the Home Office on legalising the use of cannabis-based medicines, including cannabis-oil. There has not been a meeting between the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary on the potential effect of legalising cannabis-oil medicines on the availability of cannabis as a gateway drug for social use.</p><p> </p><p>An impact assessment is being prepared alongside proposals to consider wider impacts of this policy. There are known harms associated with cannabis use and cannabis remains a controlled drug. The Government has no plans to legalise it for recreational use. As with other medicines in Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (such as morphine and fentanyl), it will continue to be an offence contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to possess a cannabis based medicine without prescription or lawful authority.</p>