Medicinal products derived from Cannabis can be legally prescribed to patients in the UK from the Autumn, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced.

The government, along with the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency, are now working to determine what exactly a cannabis-derived medical product is so that they can be prescribed. The products will then only be prescribed by senior clinicians for "patients with an exceptional clinical need".

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Cannabis-derived medicinal products to be made available on prescription: https://t.co/lsgEyuIiai pic.twitter.com/d12DaZyyzI — Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) July 26, 2018

The change in the law follows high-profile medical cases like Billy Caldwell, the 12-year-old severely epileptic boy, whose mother campaigned for him to be legally treated with cannabis oil. Her campaign was successful and the Department of Health granted an emergency license to his doctors in Belfast allowing him to be treated with the product.

This then led to Javid announcing a government review into the use of medicinal cannabis, which culminated today in the change in official policy.

Sajid Javid Getty Images

"Recent cases involving sick children made it clear to me that our position on cannabis-related medical products was not satisfactory," Javid said in his statement. "Following advice from two sets of independent advisers, I have taken the decision to reschedule cannabis-derived medicinal products - meaning they will be available on prescription."



So, does this mean we are on course for cannabis to be legalised in the UK full stop, like in Canada and Holland?

The government have said they are clear "today's announcement does not pave the way towards legalising cannabis for recreational use" and that the law, and penalties for supplying and possessing the Class B drug, remain intact.

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