NO 10 HOLDS OFF ON HEALTH BID TO USE CANNABIS

No decision has been taken on whether to allow cannabis to be used for
medical purposes, a Downing Street spokeswoman said today.

Reports suggested the Prime Minister Tony Blair, Home Secretary Jack Straw
and Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam had agreed a deal to allow the
illegal drug's use.

Research is being carried out for the Department of Health into whether the
active ingredients of cannabis can be used by patients to relieve severe pain.

Sufferers from multiple sclerosis and other painful conditions say that
cannabis can improve the way they feel in a way that licensed medical drugs
cannot.

However, a No 10 spokeswoman said the Prime Minister would be waiting to
find out what the clinical trials revealed.

"He's not going to agree to anything before he has got the results of the
trials," said the spokeswoman.

"It is not the case that the Prime Minister has made any deal or made any
decision," the spokeswoman added.