The information is for healthcare professionals, patients and others who are interested in finding out more about cannabis for medical use. It will discuss current and proposed access to potential cannabis treatment and describe the legal and policy status of cannabis. It also describes the Minister for Health’s role in relation to access to cannabis for medical use, as provided for in the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016 and in line with expert clinical and scientific advice.

Cannabis and cannabis-based products which do not have a marketing authorisation are not medicines as defined under national and European legislation. As such, they are not subject to the same rigorous safety, quality and efficacy standards that are in place for medicines, nor are the producers subject to the same responsibilities as the marketing authorisation holders for authorised medicines.