Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Medicinal Cannabis: Economic Contribution — [Graham Stringer in the Chair]

20 April 2023 · 3 other contributors · 10,750 words

Opened by Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Responding minister: Will Quince

NHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jim Shannon raised concerns about medicinal cannabis: economic contribution — [graham stringer in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Jim Shannon highlighted the positive impact of medicinal cannabis on the quality of life for individuals with Dravet syndrome, citing a case study of Sophia Gibson.
  • Shannon called for a process that allocates medicinal cannabis in specific circumstances as directed by the Health Department.
  • Shannon supported reviewing the current approach to allow wider production and delivery within strict medical protocols.

Key requests to Government

Shannon called for a process that allocates medicinal cannabis in specific circumstances as directed by the Health Department. He also supported reviewing the current approach to allow wider production and delivery within strict medical protocols while acknowledging the economic benefits of legal cannabis production.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Jim Shannon highlighted the positive impact of medicinal cannabis on individuals and families, citing a case study involving Sophia Gibson. He emphasized that while medicinal cannabis does not cure conditions like Dravet syndrome, it significantly improves quality of life for those affected. Shannon noted that before accessing medicinal cannabis, Sophia experienced daily epileptic fits and had frequent hospitalizations, missing months of schooling. However, since her prescription changed, the frequency and intensity of her seizures have drastically reduced, allowing her to attend school regularly.

Other contributors (3)
  • Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam

    Jeremy Wright acknowledged the need to prescribe medical cannabis for patients who can benefit from it, citing a legal change in November 2018. He highlighted that only three NHS prescriptions have been made so far, expressing concern about the lack of progress. He emphasized the importance of supporting domestic production and ensuring a secure supply chain for medicinal cannabis. Jeremy Wright acknowledged the need for regulatory intervention but expressed concerns over the fragmentation of the current regulatory landscape. He suggested that better coordination could help resolve these issues without removing licensing requirements. The NICE guidelines are restrictive and discourage doctors from prescribing medicinal cannabis despite its rescheduling by the Home Office.

  • Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South

    Karin Smyth highlighted the need for a legitimate medicinal cannabis industry with good production standards and job creation in rural economies. She mentioned the slow progress since 2018, noting only five people have been prescribed medical cannabis by the NHS. The speaker expressed concern about families being pushed to the brink of destitution due to high private treatment costs.

  • Ronnie Cowan SNP East Ayrshire and Arran

    Mr Cowan highlighted the ongoing struggle of parents trying to obtain medical cannabis for their children with intractable epilepsy, stating that the UK Government's stance on cannabis as a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act has hindered progress. He emphasised the economic benefits of legalising and regulating the hemp industry, citing job creation, environmental benefits, and carbon sequestration potential. Mr Cowan also noted the need for clearer licensing regulations to facilitate growth in the sector. Ronnie Cowan suggested providing a report on legal and regulated UK hemp and cannabis sectors, questioned the acceptance of ACMD recommendations by the Government, and inquired about why individuals who can afford private prescriptions have access to medicinal cannabis while those who cannot do not. The Minister is allowing the manufacture of medicinal cannabis products in East Kilbride but people cannot access it on the NHS, which seems contradictory.

Government Response

Will Quince

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale on securing this important debate. Although this is the first debate on medicinal cannabis that I have responded to as Health Minister, I know there has been considerable interest in this issue across the House. The debate crosses multiple Departments including DHSC, DIT, BIS, Home Office, NHS England, DEFRA and FSA. The Home Office does not intend to permit cannabis cultivation without a licence or remove the distinction between industrial hemp and standard cannabis cultivation regimes. As for growing a UK CBD industry, DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency are taking action to regulate this side of the market to protect consumers against misleading health claims. On regulatory barriers, cannabis-based medicines are controlled drugs regulated by the Home Office under the controlled drug licensing regime. The legislation has been reviewed by the ACMD which concluded that no legislative amendments are required at present. Turning to medicinal use, as a Health Minister my priority is ensuring patients have access to safe and effective medicines. Research is key to unlocking this debate. Progress is being made on licensed cannabis-based products for NHS prescription, but clinical concerns remain over unlicensed products due to limited evidence of safety and efficacy. The law change in 2018 allowed prescribing by specialist doctors for certain conditions, with only three prescriptions issued so far due to the risk involved without MHRA/NICE approval. There is hope that cannabis-based treatments could help an array of medical conditions but much evidence is anecdotal or observational. Research is essential before any new medicine can be proven cost effective. The NIHR and NHS England have confirmed support for two clinical trials into early onset and genetic generalised epilepsy, with a tender opportunity to launch by UCL for a world-first randomised control trial comparing cannabis-based medicines containing CBD and THC in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies in adults and children. I implore companies to explore supplying their products to these trials which will provide needed evidence. On matters concerning cultivation and licensing, I will raise that with my counterpart, the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire.

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