Health Minister Simon Harris signed legislation on 26 June to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a pilot basis for five years. 

Speaking at the launch of the scheme, he said: “Once suitable medical cannabis products are made available by suppliers, the access programme will make it possible for a medical consultant to prescribe a listed cannabis-based treatment for a patient under his or her care for medical conditions, where the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments.

These illnesses include:

• Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, 
• Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and
• Severe refractory treatment resistant epilepsy. 

The minister added: “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.” 

Controlled drugs licence

The new legislation means that commercial operators whose cannabis products meet the specified requirements can now supply products to the Irish market. 

A controlled drugs licence will be required for possession, supply or importing such cannabis products. If a supplier is approved, the licence will be processed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Speaking at the scheme’s launch, Minister Harris said: “It is going to take a little bit of time to fully establish the scheme, as supply couldn’t be brought in until the law was signed today.” 

It is anticipated that patients will be in a position to access the scheme in the autumn.

It is over two years since the minister announced that a medicinal cannabis access scheme was to be established.

The minister said: “It is important to state that there are no plans to legalise cannabis in this country. The purpose of this programme is to facilitate compassionate access to cannabis for medical reasons, where conventional treatment has failed.”  

Offences and penalties for unauthorised supply and possession of controlled substances remain unchanged.