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Campaigners lose cannabis-based drugs fight

A group of Islanders in Jersey have lost their campaign to be prescribed cannabis-based drugs for medical purposes.

Deputy Montfort Tadier was fighting their corner in the States today, but his petitions were rejected by politicians.

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Campaigners lose cannabis-based drugs fight

A group of Islanders in Jersey have lost their campaign to be prescribed cannabis-based drugs for medical purposes.

Deputy Montfort Tadier was fighting their corner in the States today, but his petitions were rejected by politicians.

The Health Minister argued he doesn't have the power to give individuals special licenses to possess cannabis or drugs derived from cannabis.

The campaigners at the States

Deputy doesn't hold much hope for agreement to cannabis-based drugs

Deputy Montfort Tadier is trying to help three islanders who want access to cannabis-based drugs for medicinal use.

But they're not holding out much hope that the Health Minister will agree.

He knows that this is an emotive issues, he knows that there are a whole raft of issues that are taboo surrounding cannabis, even though we're now in the 21st Century and I think rather than grasp that mettle, he's looking for any excuse to not to have to deliver for these three individuals in this case who are suffering when they needn't be.

– Deputy Montfort Tadier
Deputy Montford Tadier

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"I really need to try this drug" says MS sufferer

The plight of a multiple sclerosis sufferer who wants a cannabis-based drug to ease her pain will go to Jersey's States tomorrow.

Deputy Montfort Tadier has brought a petition urging the Health Minister to issue Ann Hill a license for the drug called Sativex.

But Senator Andrew Green has dismissed the petition, saying it would cost the taxpayer £5,000 a year.

Sativex is currently available in Jersey for private patients, but Ann wants it prescribed for free.

I really need to try this drug.

It's not cannabis, Sativex is a derivative so a lot of the things someone who smokes neat cannabis would take in, are taken out. However, if they tell me I'm not allowed to have Sativex it will possibly lead me down the path of wanting to grow my own.

– Ann Hill
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