PLEA FOR CANNABIS ON PRESCRIPTION

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."