By Brian Houlihan

Gino Kenny speaking before the committee

On Thursday the Joint Committee on Health met to discuss the merits of medical cannabis. The committee meeting hearing is part of the significant few months ahead for medical cannabis in Ireland.

A number of individuals were called before the committee. Lorraine Nolan, the chief executive of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Dr. Colin Doherty, a consultant neurologist at St James’s Hospital and Vera Twomey, whose child is an epilepsy sufferer.

You can watch the session in the video below. Skip to 14:20 minutes it to begin the public part of the discussions. Click on the box to start the video.

For those unable to watch below is a brief outline of what took place.

First up was Lorraine Nolan who outlined the HPRA’s role in introducing medications. She also provided insight into some of the medical cannabis laws around the world. It was also revealed that a working group has been established by the HPRA to report on the matter early next year.

She also stated that the HPRA are happy to look at exemptions for patients in the short time. It was also suggested that consultations with those who use medical cannabis currently should also be part of the ongoing review process.

Next to speak was Dr. Colin Doherty who started by outlining the history of cannabis including references to William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, the Limerick born doctor who introduced cannabis into Western medicine. Dr. Colin Doherty spoke positvely about CBD in particular and stated that medical cannabis offered “a tantalising new horizon”.

However, he was quick to add that there is still much more research needed in this area. Dr. Colin Doherty spoke extensively at the recent Epilepsy Ireland national conference on the topic. You can view that clip here.

Next to speak was Vera Twomey who outlined how CBD has changed her daughters life. Since starting Charlotte’s Web, which she purchased from The Hemp Company, at which she met Joel Stanley (CW’s creator), there has been a massive reduction in her daughter Ava’s seizures. Having previously tried over 10 medications it is CBD that has had the biggest life changing impact.

As always Vera spoke passionately about needing access to medical cannabis and we wish to thank her for her continuing efforts. Others also made interesting contributions so make sure to watch the committee session.

Brian Houlihan is a Director of Help Not Harm which seeks to shift the emphasis of Irish drug policy from criminal justice to public health.