Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that the government will carry out a review of the scheduling of cannabis for medicinal use.
Mr Javid said the commission would first see experts look at the evidence for the medical benefits of cannabis and then see government advisors recommend what products might be rescheduled.
But he underlined that there is no question of the government legalising cannabis for recreational use, saying penalties for unauthorised supply and possession will remain in place.
The issue has been thrust to the forefront of political debate after the mother of 12-year-old Billy Caldwell, who had cannabis oil to treat his epilepsy confiscated from her at Heathrow, demanded a change in the law.
Mr Javid told MPs: “It has become clear to me since becoming home secretary that the position we find ourselves in currently is not satisfactory. It is not satisfactory for the parent, it’s not satisfactory for the doctors and it’s not satisfactory for me.
“I’ve now come to the conclusion that it is time to review the scheduling of cannabis.”
Mr Javid explained that part one of the commission will review evidence for the benefits of a range of cannabis based medicines and be taken forward by professor Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer.
Her work will inform which cannabis based medicines should be considered in part two of the commission, which will be led by the advisory council on the misuse of drugs.
The council is to then provide ministers with an assessment of which products, if any, should be rescheduled.
It has become clear to me since becoming home secretary that the position we find ourselves in currently is not satisfactory. It is not satisfactory for the parent, it’s not satisfactory for the doctors and it’s not satisfactory for me
Mr Javid said: “If the review identified that there are significant medical benefits, then we do intend to reschedule.
“We have seen in recent months that there is a pressing need to allow those who might benefit from cannabis based products to access them.”
He said in the period that the commission carries out its review, requests for urgent access to cannabis for medicinal use will be considered by a panel of experts, announced by he government yesterday.
The home secretary also announced he had authorised a licence to be issued on Tuesday for six-year-old Alfie Dingley, after his mother said she had been waiting three months for Theresa May to fulfil a personal assurance he would be allowed to receive cannabis oil.
Earlier this week, Mr Javid intervened to grant a 20-day licence for Billy Caldwell to be treated with cannabis oil, after he suffered seizures following the confiscation his of supplies, brought by his mother from Canada.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Diane Abbott welcomed Mr Javid’s statement, saying: “We agree that this is the right time if not long overdue to review the scheduling of cannabis.”
Billy Caldwell was rushed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Friday night in a critical condition having suffered multiple seizures, after his supply was taken off his mother on 11 June.
Following Mr Javid’s intervention he received treatment and was discharged on Monday afternoon, leaving Ms Caldwell, 50, calling for an urgent review of the law.
On Tuesday ex-Tory leader William Hague called for the legalisation of the recreational use of cannabis in the UK, and said it was time for “bold” action on the part of the government.
