The use of medicinal forms of cannabis continues to be very restricted in Ireland in spite of moves to permit their use in limited circumstances. Minister for Health Simon Harris commissioned a report from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to examine the scientific evidence on medicinal cannabis, which accepted benefits from taking medicinal cannabis for certain conditions. Restricted use, however, still applies in Ireland compared to other parts of the world – notably the United States, Canada and Australia where certified medical products are available in many instances. The Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016, which allowed for medicinal use of cannabis and its derivatives, was rejected by the Oireachtas Health Committee last July. * Accompanying this article is short documentary by Irish Times video journalist Enda O’Dowd on cannabis oil use in Ireland.

Source: The Irish Times May 10, 2018 12:45 UTC