2339. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use; the expected timelines for completion; if the review will consider the expansion of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme to additional conditions in line with evolving international clinical practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43679/26]
2340. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if chronic pain conditions are being considered as part of the ongoing review of access to cannabis for medical use (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43681/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2339 and 2341 together.

The purpose of the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use is to provide independent, evidence-informed advice to my Department and I on access to cannabis-based products for medical use in Ireland, including the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) and the Ministerial Licence Scheme, and to make recommendations to inform long-term national policy.

The Group will:

• Review the current operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme and the availability of Schedule 2 Cannabis products.
• Examine the appropriateness to expand the range of conditions covered by the programme, where sufficient evidence exists that cannabis may prove beneficial.
• Review the current access to Schedule 1 Cannabis products and the current operation of the ministerial licence.
• Develop a national policy on access to, and the administration of cannabis products that are subject to ministerial licence.

The Review Group is comprised of a range of medical specialists and experts and patient representation.

To support the Review of Access to Cannabis for Medical Use my Department commissioned the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake an international evidence review as a key input to the process. The HRB subsequently published its review in 2024, entitled The Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Cannabis in Adult Populations. The Review group will consider the evidence included therein and will also engage with relevant expert stakeholders, including patients and/or their families, to inform the Review through consideration of lived experience. Consideration is also being given to including a formal public consultation process as part of the Review. This will be agreed in collaboration with the Chair and the Review group.

Dáil Éireann Debate. Question 2340 – Cannabis for medical use [43680/26]

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-06-09/2340/#pq_2340

2340. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted comparative analysis of medicinal cannabis access models across other European jurisdictions, including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; if this analysis will inform future policy decisions relating to patient access in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43680/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: In preparation for the Review into Access to Cannabis for Medical Use, Section 1.2.3 of the HRB publication, “The Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Cannabis in Adult Populations: An evidence review” examined access international models from around the world including Europe and North America. The Review Group will consider this evidence review in the course of its work.

Question No. 2341 answered with Question No. 2339.