People will be able to access medicinal cannabis in Ireland in certain circumstances.
The government announced it will fund the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme, which was introduced into legislation in 2019.
The medicine be available through a consultant for people suffering muscle spasms from MS, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy or those who have severe epilepsy.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly says:
“Ultimately it will be the decision of the medical consultant, in consultation with their patient, to prescribe a particular treatment, including a cannabis-based treatment, for a patient under their care.
"It is important to state that there are no plans to legalise cannabis in this country.”
The HSE will establish and maintain an electronic register for the Medical Cannabis Access Programme to facilitate the enrolment and recording of certain data, prescribers enrolled in the programme, as well as prescribed / supplied medical cannabis products.
