Sajid Javid has announced plans to launch a Government review into the use of medicinal cannabis in the UK.
The Home Secretary said experts would look further into the medicinal use of cannabis, which has been proved to help children with epilepsy.
“It has become clear to me since becoming home secretary that the position we find ourselves in currently is not satisfactory. It is not satisfactory for the parent, it’s not satisfactory for the doctors and it’s not satisfactory for me,” said Javid in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
“I’ve now come to the conclusion that it is time to review the scheduling of cannabis.”
The Home Secretary made clear that the government does not plan to legalise cannabis for recreational use, despite the calls for legalisation by former party leader Lord Hague.
Javid warned of the damage to users’ “mental and physical health”.
Lord Hague wrote for the Telegraph last week supporting decriminalisation. Despite growing support, Javid remains opposed.
A statement from the Home Office released on Tuesday morning said: “The Government has no intention of reviewing the classification of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and it will remain a Class B drug.”
“Any debate within government about the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis based medicines does not extend to any review regarding the classification of cannabis and the penalties for the illicit possession, cultivation and trafficking of cannabis will remain the same.”
The medicinal use of cannabis has come to the forefront following the mother of Billy Caldwell, had the cannabis oil that was used to treat her son’s epilepsy confiscated at Heathrow airport.
“If the review identified that there are significant medical benefits, then we do intend to reschedule,” said Javid.
“We have seen in recent months that there is a pressing need to allow those who might benefit from cannabis-based products to access them.”