Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Medicinal Cannabis

06 September 2021 · 4 other contributors

Opened by Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christine Jardine raised concerns about medicinal cannabis in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Christine Jardine raised concerns about the challenges families face in accessing medicinal cannabis through the NHS.
  • Jardine highlighted the case of Murray Grey, a constituent suffering from epilepsy, and the high costs of private treatment.
  • The Minister acknowledged the complexity of legalising medicinal cannabis and the need for an evidence base beyond observational trials.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

Christine Jardine spoke about the frustration and disappointment regarding the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, highlighting the case of her constituent Murray Grey who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy. She detailed how despite progress made in 2018 to legalise cannabis oil for medicinal use, families still face significant challenges accessing this treatment on the NHS, often having to fund it privately at costs up to £2,000 per month. Jardine emphasised the importance of addressing red tape and inflexible guidelines that prevent medical professionals from prescribing the needed medication. She urged the government to take action now to support these families.

Other contributors (4)
  • Mike Penning Con Hemel Hempstead

    Penning recounted his involvement in legalising medicinal cannabis and expressed frustration that despite initial progress, children continue to struggle accessing treatment. He highlighted the cases of Alfie Dingley and other children who have benefited from medicinal cannabis but are still facing challenges due to bureaucratic obstacles.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Shannon spoke about his constituent, Sophia, whose life had significantly improved with the use of medicinal cannabis. He urged the government to cover prescriptions beyond September and support further clinical research.

  • Crispin Blunt Con Reigate

    Blunt discussed the broader context of UK drugs policy, advocating for evidence-based decision-making regarding medical cannabis and other psychoactive substances. He highlighted the need for better institutions to advise on drug control policies.

  • Ronnie Cowan SNP Inverclyde

    Cowan emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue, pointing out that despite promises made in 2019, children are still struggling due to bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints. He urged for a legal framework enabling GPs to prescribe cannabis-based medical products.

Government Response

Jo Churchill

Churchill acknowledged the complexity of the issue and thanked contributors for their speeches, highlighting the needs of affected children. She addressed concerns about access to NHS prescriptions, emphasising the need for an evidence base beyond observational trials. The Minister explained efforts made to reduce costs for families accessing private treatments, noting constraints due to international treaties and legal restrictions on exporting cannabis oils from the Netherlands. Churchill detailed ongoing clinical trials and research aimed at expanding the use of medicinal cannabis, including support for trials comparing cannabis oil with placebos. She reiterated the importance of robust evidence before prescribing new medications, while expressing sympathy for parents' frustrations.

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