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A seriously-ill six-year-old boy from Kenilworth is a step closer to being given the go-ahead to use cannabis oil to treat his rare form of epilepsy, according to his mother.

Hannah Deacon said government ministers had accepted they were acting on compassionate grounds in trying to obtain a special licence for her son Alfie to use the illegal medicine.

It comes after Hannah and her husband Drew met with Prime Minister Theresa May and other ministers on Tuesday to plead for the right to use the medicine, banned in the UK, to reduce the number of life threatening seizures her son suffers.

They handed over a 380,000-strong petition to Downing Street.

“We had a positive meeting, they accept the compassionate issuing of a licence for Alfie,” Hannah said.

“Now we need our medical professionals to write the prescription.”

Hannah said they had high hopes that would see the government expedite a licence, though as it is a legal process they cannot be given guarantees in advance.

She told the Telegraph: "Before they were saying we would have to do a three month trial first.

"That would be very difficult.

"They accepted our plea we were doing this on compassionate grounds and once the application comes in they will expedite it as quickly as possible.

"They can't say it will be a yes as it has to go through a legal process but they are being very positive."

Hannah said the government needed to accept their doctor was "credible" .

The family is now in discussion with doctors about the next step.

She added: "Once we have had that discussion the application will be made quickly.

"The application will be made to the Home Office and hopefully it will make a decision within a few weeks."

The potentially groundbreaking move comes after a Coventry woman claimed she had cured herself of cancer using cannabis oil.

Doctors gave Joy Smith six weeks to live when she was diagnosed with cancer in her stomach and bowel, but almost two years later she is close to getting the all clear.

She said that regular doses of THC cannabis oil had destroyed her inoperable tumours - leaving doctors stunned by her miraculous recovery.

Cannabis oil - what is it? Some forms of cannabis oil are now available to buy in shops in the UK. The cannabinoid CBD is not considered a controlled substance, and is therefore 100% legal. This is what cannabis oils sold in the UK are made from. THC is the intoxicating and psychoactive substance that is responsible for causing the marijuana high. It is considered a controlled substance, and is therefore illegal. Cannabis oil can be beneficial for people who suffer from stress, anxiety, depression or lack of sleep. It has also been suggested that it can be used to help alleviate the pain of cancer patients. However, cancer charity Macmillan.org.uk said: "There are side effects of using cannabis oil. Cannabinoids can increase your heart rate, cause dizziness, hallucinations, paranoia and make you feel ‘stoned’. They may also interact with other drugs." It has also been claimed cannabis oil can treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and MS.

Alfie’s long battle

Alfie is believed to be one of only five boys in the world with a rare form of epilepsy - PCDH19 - that can cause up to 150 potentially life threatening seizures a month.

The family had moved to the Netherlands in September 17 to allow him access to medical marijuana and say his symptoms improved.

But they were forced to return home four weeks ago after running out of money and Alfie has since been back in hospital three times.

Mr Dingley said: “Alfie’s condition is worsening, which is obviously a worry.

“The steroids have side effects, they make people more aggressive and we’ve seen a change in his behaviour.

“We just want our little boy back, our happy little six-year-old playing with his sister.”

He added: “This is our six-year-old son, we’re not going to put something into him that’s in any way illegal.

“What we’re asking for is a medical grade product, made under laboratory conditions, which is bottled and prescribed in the way any painkiller is.”

Celebrity backing

Sir Patrick Stewart is just one of the big celebrity names to throw their weight behind the campaign.

Sir Patrick, who uses medicinal cannabis to treat his arthritis while living in California, said: “How could one not support Alfie? Hearing what his life has been and the benefits given to him by being able to use medicinal marijuana.

“There has never been a stronger case for the legalisation of medical marijuana.

“I have been registered for medical marijuana in California for over three years and have found it immensely beneficial for my arthritis.

“I had to have eight steroid injections in my fingers and knuckles, which was about as painful as anything one could imagine, because medicinal cannabis is not available here.”

A number of other high-profile figures have backed the campaign, including Joanna Lumley and Sir Richard Branson.

poll loading Do you think Cannabis Oil should be legalised? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes - it's clearly helping people No - it's a slippery slope to drugs being allowed

What the government say

Earlier this month the Home Office announced it is considering allowing a medical cannabis trial to treat Alfie.

Mrs May’s official spokesman said the PM had previously written to the Dingley family to express her sympathies and “reiterate the Government’s commitment to explore a range of options to find a solution for Alfie”.

The spokesman added: “That work is ongoing and is being led by senior clinicians.

“What we have said is that it is important that medicines are thoroughly tested to ensure they meet rigorous standards before being placed on the market, so that doctors and patients are assured of their quality and safety.”

The spokesman said that Mrs May was opposed to the decriminalisation of cannabis.

Asked whether decriminalisation was one of the options under consideration in the current work, he said: “We have said when we’ve looked at this in the past that we are looking at specific solutions in relation to Alfie and what can be done to help him.”

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