https://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-2246280.html

THE first pain-relieving medicine containing cannabis extract may be licensed here for patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS) and a number of other conditions.

The drug Sativex is different from other similar pharmaceutically produced medicines because it is derived from botanical material rather than a solely synthetic process.

But although thousands of patients may benefit from it, the drug cannot be prescribed by doctors because it would breach the Misuse of Drugs Act.

It cannot be sold, supplied or distributed because it would amount to possession of cannabis, which is unlawful except for research purposes.

Health Minister Mary Harney revealed yesterday that she was reluctant to loosen controls that could lead to more use of cannabis, the most widely abused drug in the country.

However, she was now seeking expert medical advice on the drug and said she would be open to making a change to the Misuse of Drugs legislation for the use of cannabis-based drugs if the experts deemed it warranted. Patient organisations such as MS Ireland have campaigned for this and similar drugs that are currently banned from being granted licences here.

A spokesman for the Department of Health confirmed that "as part of the legislative process to amend the Misuse of Drugs legislation, officials are seeking advice from clinicians with expertise in this area".

He told the Irish Independent they were also in talks with organisations with a role in the authorisation of medicines or the enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs legislation, such as the Irish Medicines Board, the gardai and the Customs Service as well as other relevant bodies.

However, he said: "It is not possible to put any timeframe on when the process will be completed and a decision made on how it will proceed."

There are around 7,000 people in Ireland with MS. UK authorities recently licensed the drug for MS patients who suffer from spasticity, which leads to muscle stiffness and involuntary movements causing spasms and sleep disturbances.

The medicine is also believed to be used for people who have AIDS or anorexia.

It is administered by spraying on the under-side of the tongue. Although it is unclear how it works, it is thought it can mimic natural pain relievers in the body. It costs around €13 a day, based on eight sprays daily.

- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent

Irish Independent

Rather than letting patients grow their own medication or setting up some sort of legal caregiver licencing system they'll rather waste taxpayers money on expensive treatments produced by the drug companys.

We as a country have all the skills and technology to produce sativex type of treatments at less cost than buying them in from the pharma companys with the added bonus of job creation.

Harney cant be trusted to make any sort of decision regarding whats best for patients going by her track record of fuck up's.

Good news for patients tho.

Very good new's,the CBD content is bigger than the THC content,something very unique and helpfull to those suffering.
Its sick to hold back a med like such,GW grow 5000 plants a time,or 30,000 a year, from what ive heard,at one plant anyway,somewhere in England.
They use a milling machine to get there oil which is then worked into the oral spray.
I like to see the plant numbers go up,more factories,etc.

Surley the demand for this will increase as time goes on,a step in the right direction.

Thanks for the info Cookie!

peace.

cant see it going far at 13 a day

Originally Posted by igrohydro

Thanks for the info Cookie!

No probs bro

Tho you should probably thank Tonto, he posted the article!!

At 13 euro a day there's no way the government can provide it to every medical card holder who mght benefit from it, private patients will be ok tho.

Thanks for the info tonto,hope your good bro!

EU to discuss legalising medicinal cannabis
08/09/2010 - 10:19:07

A proposal to legalise cannabis for medicinal use in Ireland will be discussed at a meeting of the EU Health Commission in Brussels in the coming days.

Campaigners say that cannabis can be used to cure or to treat many ailments including cancer, HIV-AIDS, multiple schlerosis, and arthritis.

The campaign for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Ireland is also due to meet the Minister for Drugs Pat Carey tomorrow to discuss proposals allowing the drug to be prescribed here.


here is the act

https://hempirl.webs.com/The%20Compas...e.%20Final.pdf

havent read it myself but ill start soon enough, the curing bit in the article though has me a little worried.

[GMT]

nice heads up, thanks tonto

[bobjoe 69]

ahern can put that in his pipe and smoke it

https://twitter.com/PatCareyTD

will keep an eye on this tomorrow