The government says it will reach a decision within the next few weeks on whether laws around medical cannabis will be changed.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is now assessing the “balance of harms and public health needs” in terms of rescheduling treatments.

It comes after high profile cases involving children with severe epilepsy being denied access to cannabis oil.

Cannabis for recreational use will remain illegal.

The first part of the review – looking at the scientific evidence – has already been completed by England’s chief medical officer.

Prof Dame Sally Davies said there was conclusive evidence of therapeutic benefit of prescribing cannabis-based products for certain medical conditions.

That list includes treating:

chronic pain

nausea and vomiting caused as a side-effect of cancer therapies such as chemo

muscle spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients

Overall, the report found less evidence for the treatment of epilepsy.

The Home Office recently granted Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley, boys who have rare forms of epilepsy, a short-term licence to allow them access to cannabis oil, which their parents say helps to control their seizures. [Read More @BBC]