Subj: UK: Lords' call for medical cannabis rejected



Date: Thursday, November 12 1998



Source:    The Times (UK)





Lords' call for medical cannabis rejected

BY JAMES LANDALE, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT



THE Government yesterday rejected fresh demands for

the immediate legalisation of cannabis for medical

purposes. 



But ministers gave a small ray of hope to sufferers by

indicating that doctors might be allowed to prescribe the

drug after extensive clinical trials. 



George Howarth, the Home Office Minister, ruled out a

call from the House of Lords Science and Technology

Committee for doctors to prescribe cannabis now. The

peers said thousands of people suffering muscle spasms

and terminal cancer could benefit from the drug's

painkilling properties. 



Mr Howarth said: "It would be irresponsible to say it's

OK to use it but there is no scientific evidence it will

work." 



While the Government's position angered patients' groups

and some politicians, the British Medical Association

approved, saying that said making cannabis available on

prescription could delay development of more effective

drugs.