Source: The Independent (UK)



Pubdate: 24 February 1999





ubject: Plea for cannabis on prescription

By Sarah Schaefer 



A Labour backbencher will urge ministers today

to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis for

medical purposes. 



Paul Flynn, the MP for Newport West, will argue

that sufferers of illnesses such as multiple

sclerosis, Aids and cancer should be able to use

the drug to reduce pain. 



While the Government had given permission for

cannabis to undergo laboratory tests to see if it

could be licensed as a medicine, research would

take at least five years, he will say. 



"The tens of thousands of multiple sclerosis, Aids

and cancer sufferers should not have to wait that

long for a natural medicine which has been used

by millions of people for thousands of years. They

want the medicine of their choice now so they can

get pain relief, so that they can get a good night's

sleep, or so they can stop feeling nauseous from

the side-effects of chemotherapy." 



Mr Flynn said cannabis was prescribed until 1973

"without difficulties", while heroin and cocaine can

be legally prescribed. Doctors would be allowed

to prescribe cannabis as an unlicensed medicine,

but would have to state the amount and name the

patient. 



Mr Flynn's 10-minute rule Bill has little chance of

becoming law. A Home Office spokesman said:

"Patient safety remains the top priority. Cannabis

should not be treated any differently to anything

else which is reputed to have therapeutic

properties and has to be put through proper

licensing procedures."