On 26 June 2019, Irish Health Minister Simon Harris signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a pilot basis for five years. A controlled drugs licence will be required for possession, supply or importing such cannabis products. If a supplier is approved, the licence will be processed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The Minister added that there are no plans to legalise cannabis in Ireland and the offences and penalties for unauthorised supply and possession of controlled substances remain unchanged. In this Opinion Piece, Brian Cusack from Dr. Hemp Me, an Irish brand of CBD Oil, argues that the demand for Medical Cannabis will help increase the supply of cannabis-based products in Ireland.

Medical cannabis Legislation in Ireland

By Brian Cusack





I often see people discussing cannabis usage and the legal aspects of cannabis. The discussion revolves around the benefits and drawbacks of legalizing cannabis. Surprisingly, awareness of the benefits and setbacks of cannabis itself is growing among people.



Truly, increasing awareness is a good thing happening due to all the media buzz, objections and supportive comments from notable people in the country regarding the cannabis legislation in Ireland. At least, now people will talk about the news related to cannabis, and end up discussing key facts about the legalization of cannabis.

Marijuana cannot be ignored just because of its psychoactive.

Equally, there are pieces of evidence that cannabis can help treat a wide range of health conditions. Precisely, several health benefits can be achieved when used in optimal quantities and ideal intervals. Increasingly, researchers claim that cannabis possesses a handful of healing properties. However, it is only prescribed by doctors in some countries for the treatment of a few critical diseases.



Keeping aside all these debates, is Ireland keen on legalising medical cannabis? By far, what has changed in terms of cannabis usage in Ireland? Practically, what are the hurdles that slow down the implementation of reforms related to medical cannabis?



Medical Cannabis Access Program



In the history of Ireland, cannabis was highly restricted, and the people were not allowed to procure, grow, sell, or use cannabis in any form.



Medical cannabis access program allows the usage of cannabis-related products to treat a few critical diseases. However, the program highly restricts usage. One can use cannabis only when it becomes the only option to treat the disease.



The patient should have tried all the available treatment options before trying cannabis. If and only when the other options failed to help to treat the disease, then cannabis-derived products can be utilized for the treatment.



With the recent changes, now cannabis can be bought and used only by the patients affected by multiple types of sclerosis, epilepsy and chemotherapy-caused nausea, Having said that, it can be bought only when a doctor prescribes the cannabis-derived product to treat such conditions.



Legal Authorization for Cannabis usage



Presently, “the minister for health” has the authority to grant a license that allows the holder to use cannabis products without any legal impacts. People can apply for a license to use medical cannabis by attaching the medical records and logical explanation by a qualified physician. However, the application must be made by the specialist.



Likewise, applications from individuals cannot be approved as per the legislation. A license for medical cannabis usage can be granted or rejected based on multiple aspects case to case.



What are the hurdles that prevent the implementation of cannabis legislation?



Generally, it becomes tough to implement when legislation becomes controversial. Cannabis legislation earned huge positive response and equal negative response. Equally, below given are a few hurdles that prevent the implementation of cannabis legislation.



Scientifically not backed



Predominantly, there are mixed comments and views on implementing cannabis legislation. Especially, about the effectiveness of the cannabis-derived products. Precisely, cannabis-derived products except epidiolex lack scientific evidence that proves its effectiveness in treating epilepsy.



In particular, cannabis-derived products that contain THC don’t have solid evidence that it helps treat epilepsy. NECCP mentioned in a report that cannabis-derived products are required to be researched and studied a lot to prove the health benefits of medical cannabis. Likely, lack of evidence means it can be considered unsafe to use. Also, it cannot be used for medical purpose until it is tested and approved.



Physicians are hesitant



Cannabis is a schedule 1 drug. Primarily, for that reason, several consultants are hesitant to prescribe the same. Moreover, to import cannabis-derived products a doctor must apply for the license. For decades, consultants never prescribed cannabis and the habit continues as Ireland is showing a hawkish and restrictive move in terms of cannabis usage.



Having said that, several people fly abroad to seek medication for drug-resistant epilepsy. Notably, even cannabis oil has to be bought abroad if required for treatment.



Addiction and other risks



Many of the top officials and doctors of the government and private organisations warn about the risks involved in cannabis usage. Any form of cannabis can lead to addiction if used regularly just for a few days to weeks. Not only that, it can lead to serious physical and mental disorders.



To be frank, it is evident that people who use a high amount of cannabis run the risk of getting affected with psychosis. Besides, cannabis users tend to keep increasing the quantity they consume per day. As a consequence, they lose their hard-earned money while adversely affecting their health.



More importantly, cannabis is very dangerous for teenagers as they tend to spoil their education and career due to the addiction. Increasingly, teenagers across the world developing the habit of organising dope parties. It can become risky if cannabis access is made easy.



Medical Cannabis Suppliers



Currently, patients who need cannabis-based products to treat epilepsy, nausea due to chemotherapy, and multiple sclerosis can apply for a license. However, there are no suppliers who deliver the products that are on-demand. Contrarily, patients are travelling abroad to buy those products.



For Ireland, creating its supply of cannabis-based products requires more time. Till then, it is practically tough to arrange for easy access to cannabis products.



Conclusion



Largely, cannabis products specifically CBD Oil are believed to help treat epilepsy and a few critical mental disorders. Likewise, several types of research and studies are in-process trying to prove it’s effectiveness on other health problems. Ireland is highly restrictive when it comes to cannabis usage.



Current law allows the users to apply for a license through a consultant. However, several such applications got rejected due to several aspects. Having said that, the medical cannabis access program (MCAP) is the only way to make cannabis easily accessible. In contrary. Several doctors oppose the idea of legalising medical cannabis.



Though cannabis possesses a few risks, it is proved to be the best option for treating epilepsy. Hence, it is better if cannabis legislation is implemented soon. As a matter of fact, due to the above-discussed hurdles, implementation of cannabis legislation is getting delayed. Eventually, all these hurdles will fade out as the demand for medical cannabis increases among people.

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