AN Omagh native is set to become the poster boy for a new campaign to legalise medicinal marijuana.

AN Omagh native is set to become the poster boy for a new campaign to legalise medicinal marijuana.

Kieran McCrory who was struck down with a brain tumour in 2011 and who is currently recovering from brain surgery, founded Omagh Medicinal Cannabis Support Group last year.


However, in the coming months Kieran will work alongside the on-line magazine and lobbyist VolteFace in a new drive to have Westminster re-think its laws on what Kieran says is a wholly natural remedy for cancer. The campaign is also reportedly set to feature former Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and will be supported by political party CISTA (Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol).

“They want to launch a big movement to force government into a rethink,” Kieran said this week.

“When I was asked to take part, I said, ‘sure’. This cause is something I’m very passionate about, because the oil is keeping me alive.”

For the past number of months Kieran has been self-administering a form of medicinal cannabis, CBD oil in an effort to see his tumour diminish.

Rendered an epileptic from brain surgery the Omagh man says his intake of cannabis oil has already resulted in a notable reduction in the number of seizures he suffers from.

“It has given me my personality back as well,” Kieran remarked.

“I was a zombie last year with the amount of medication I was taking and because of CBD, I’ve been able to cut my intake of these drugs in half.


“It has made a massive difference for me. I’m living as normal a life as I can, but I can’t drive yet. You have to go a year without a seizure before you can drive again.

“I’m still in recovery mode from brain surgery but I definitely wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation if it wasn’t for this oil.”

This week too, reports suggest that Coronation Street will turn to medicinal cannabis for pain relief. As part of a story-line in the long-running soap, Erica Hulroyd will recommend to Izzy Armstrong that she tries cannabis to alleviate her pain, when her prescription medication stops working after a bout of illness.

This is further evidence, Kieran believes that medicinal cannabis is becoming part of everyday culture.

“They want me to lead the Northern Ireland side of things, and that will probably involve a number of TV appearances,” he continued. “I’m well up for that.

“There’s always a chance the campaign will be a success… CBD has loads of potential and it has to be taken seriously.

“I’m told that my tumour is incurable and that it will eventually kill me. But I believe that by keeping to take the oil, the tumour will eventually recede.

“This isn’t a cure for cancer but it’s the best thing that we can put into our bodies to help try and beat it.”

For more information check out the Omagh group’s Facebook page.