221. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will reconsider the current list of qualifying conditions under the medical cannabis access programme, in order to allow people with chronic conditions not currently covered to access medical cannabis treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57600/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: To support a review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) the Department of Health commissioned the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake an international evidence review as an important input to the process. Last year, the HRB published its review, entitled “The Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Cannabis in Adult Populations – An Evidence Review”.

Currently the review of the MCAP is in the planning stages within the Department of Health where the intention is to review the current operation of the MCAP and to examine the appropriateness of expanding the range of conditions covered by the programme, where sufficient evidence exists that cannabis treatment may prove beneficial. The publication by the HRB will be an important input to the review process.