Cannabis medicine allowed for MS patients

The availability of cannabis-based medicine to relieve one of the main symptoms of multiple sclerosis is about to move a step closer.

While regulatory approval has been recommended for around two years, legal changes are needed to allow its use as a treatment for muscle spasms suffered by patients with MS. The progressive, neurological condition affects 8,000 people in Ireland.

The Department of Health said it will introduce regulations in the coming weeks which would enable authorised, cannabis-based medical products such as Sativex to be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients.