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Legalising cannabis for medical use moved a step closer tonight after Britain’s top doctor confirmed there were potential benefits.

The Government’s chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies gave the green light to an in-depth review - a major victory for campaigners.

It means Home Secretary Sajid Javid is now set to have commissioned part two of a review into cannabis-related products.

Dame Sally “concluded that there is evidence of therapeutic benefit for some medical conditions,” Prime Minster Theresa May’s spokesman said, after a review lasting around two weeks.

The spokesman added: “Professor Dame Sally Davies examined existing research into the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis-related medicinal products.

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“This has led to the commissioning today of the second part of the review which will be completed by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

“The ACMD will be advising on whether cannabis-related medicinal products should be rescheduled within the next three weeks.”

The review will not consider legalising the drug for recreational purposes.

It comes just two weeks after the Tory government launched the first stage of its review into the scheduling of the drug.

Announcing the historic exercise two weeks ago, Home Secretary Sajid Javid admitted: "The position we find ourselves in currently is not satisfactory."

However, he stressed ministers had already ruled out legalising the drug for recreational use - and the maximum 5-year jail term for possession will remain.

Today's announcement comes hours after the Home Office rubber-stamped a special exemption licence meaning severely epileptic Billy Caldwell can go home with his medicinal cannabis.

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Billy's mother Charlotte, of Castlederg in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, had seven bottles confiscated at Heathrow Airport customs on June 11 after she brought them in from Toronto.

Last month a 20-day emergency licence was granted for 12-year-old Billy after he was admitted to hospital in a critical condition having suffered multiple seizures.

Last night a family spokesman said the Home Office, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital had agreed he can go home to Northern Ireland with his medicinal cannabis.

He added: "The Department of Health in Northern Ireland are applying for a licence for Billy's medication to be administered at home in Castlederg.

"In anticipation of that application being processed, the Home Office have rubber-stamped it and he will be going home at some point this week."