Monday, May 9, 2011 -

    Cannabis Question In the House, 9th May 2011

    Transcript from Commons Hansard at www.parliament.uk
    Cannabis

    8. Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): What her policy is on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. [54324]

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (James Brokenshire): We do not recognise cannabis in its raw form to have any medicinal purposes; cannabis is a harmful drug. However, Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine, has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as a safe and effective medicine for patients with multiple sclerosis.

    Paul Flynn: In Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Israel, Spain, Portugal and parts of the United States, patients can take medicinal cannabis in its natural form safely and legally. Why are seriously ill patients in our country, particularly those suffering the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, forced to break the law when they want to use their medicine of choice?

    James Brokenshire: The advice we have received from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs confirms that cannabis is a significant public health issue. I certainly sympathise with anyone suffering from a debilitating illness, but we do not condone any illicit drug taking, for whatever reason. As I have indicated, GPs may prescribe Sativex in the circumstances mentioned. That is available, and we are dealing with its regulation.

    Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): That is not the most significant medical issue in relation to cannabis. In its higher form in particular, there are significant risks to young people, such as the probable causal link to mental illness, especially psychosis and schizophrenia. Will the Minister reassure the House that the Government will continue to take a tough line and ensure effective enforcement of the law on possession of cannabis?

    James Brokenshire: I know that my hon. Friend takes these issues incredibly seriously, and has focused on drugs policy for some time. I assure him that our position is that the classification of “illegality” can influence behaviour and be a meaningful factor when people are contemplating taking drugs. That is why we do not have any proposals to change the classification of cannabis, and why we place so much importance on the current legal arrangements in ensuring we reduce supply and deal with these problems. There is no change of policy.

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    • http://www.facebook.com/cannajan Janice Wells

      How can it be safe when its wrapped in a GW pharma label, but not safe if I grow it myself! He missed the point when he started talking about abroad, should have rammed the point that sativex uses raw cannabis and that raw cannabis must have all the benefits that sativex claims and be just as safe and effective.

    • http://www.facebook.com/cannajan Janice Wells

      How can it be safe when its wrapped in a GW pharma label, but not safe if I grow it myself! He missed the point when he started talking about abroad, should have rammed the point that sativex uses raw cannabis and that raw cannabis must have all the benefits that sativex claims and be just as safe and effective.

    • Mishal Patel

      Clearly the significant health risks of smoking outweigh its purely recreational use. Despite the claim of a ‘causal link to mental illness’, cannabis undoubtedly fairs better than tobacco with its range of medical benefits. A similar argument can be made against alcohol.

    • RAF

      Either he isn’t very bright, or he is getting some sort of kick back from GW et al!!

      The whole system is totally potty!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696706959 Clark French

      this makes me angry

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696706959 Clark French

      i didnt mean to post a picture of me lol – this still makes me very angry though. its so wrong that such misinformation is still taken as the facts.

    • Tommy

      Capitalism…(sigh)

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Yumita-Yumara/100001692770490 Yumita Yumara

      Someone should design a new spray exactly the same as Sativex and try to get a licence. If the home office refuses then sue.

    • George

      I was under the impression that according to several highly knowledgeable professionals that we should be ignoring everything the “Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs” says. Didn’t they recently replace all the science with politics and business…

    • http://twitter.com/dragon83uk Daniel

      What a surprise, politicians talk crap in parliament. Nothing new there then. Everytime I see one of these transcripts from the house on this issue I essentially see the same thing:

      Politician 1: I believe there is sufficient evidence to prove that Santa Clause doesn’t exist!
      Politician 2:  Nonsense, especially considering the probable causal link* between Santa belief and the presents under my tree
      politician 3: I concur! (especially considering the many businesses I run which rely on people believing in Santa).
      Politician 1: Well that settles it then, Santas real!

      *Whatever the hell one of those are when they’re at home?

    • Dan Ford

       I think you are probably correct on all three points RAF!

    • OpenAttitudesTowardDope

      My god you listen to the uppity people here Take it as a pill is better then the raw original plant flower. HA HA HA. Damn And listen to the quote from above ” there are significant risks to young people, such as the probable
      causal link to mental illness, especially psychosis and schizophrenia” Wow its amazing to think of but… how about everywhere in the world legalizing marijuana for recreational usage in a form similar to alcohol and tobbaco. But doesnt advertise the product and Makes it Hundred times worse to give the products of the hemp plant to children and really hit at people who break the new hemp laws like driving under the influence or smoking in public whatever the particular government wants to put there. Hey Australia has a law that says you the private citizen if you are in a car…even with your own kids…. you cant smoke in that car and that law is in effect to put the childrens rights before yours as a smoker now this is a 50 50 law my rights vs the rights of a young child to breath properly.