Members of Parliament hear petition on cannabis for medicinal use
MPs were told today that it was almost impossible to get medicinal cannabis products because of excessively stringent procedures and requirements.
Parliament's health select committee is considering a National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) petition to change the law to allow people to use cannabis for serious medical conditions.
Parliament considered a similar petition from the group in 2006.
Norml argued that cannabis could be used to treat pain without some of the uncomfortable side effects, such as nausea, that conventional relief drugs caused. Cancer patients and those suffering chronic pain would benefit, they said.
Health officials told the committee there had only been only two applications to use cannabis product Sativex.
It can be authorised if a patient's GP applies and a specialist also approves.
One application was returned as it was not filled in properly. The other is under consideration.
The petitioners said the forms were too complex and the specialist requirement was difficult to get.
Cannabis News 
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