Applicable to: United Kingdom

With regard to medical cannabis, the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report (1998) argued for a review of the current situation. In response, the Government recognised that criminal status could impinge upon the medical use of cannabis, and suggested that it was undesirable to prosecute genuine therapeutic users (DH 2002). The results of clinical trials of a cannabis-based medicine to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other intractable pain diseases are currently being evaluated. If the medicine is approved, the Government will ensure that changes are made to the use of drug laws to allow a cannabis-based medicine to be prescribed. Against the background of a lively media debate on the impact of cannabis reclassification, there was concern over the health implications in some quarters. The British Lung Foundation published a report Cannabis – A Smoking Gun? (BLF 2002). Stating the dangers of cannabis smoking, it warned that pure cannabis could be just as harmful to lungs as tobacco, as it contains 50 per cent more carcinogens.

References
BLF (British Lung Foundation) (2002). Cannabis – a smoking gun? BLF. London.

DH (Department of Health) (2002). Government response to the House of Lords select committee on science and technology’s report on the therapeutic uses of cannabis. The Stationery Office. London.

House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology (1998). Science and technology – ninth report. Cannabis: the scientific and medical evidence. House of Lords. London.