ABSTRACT
Arguments in favour of sanctioning cannabis for medical use have been based mainly on anecdotal reports. Although many of these case histories sound convincing, and are often moving, they do not by themselves constitute scientific evidence. This chapter presents the information available from scientifically controlled trials of cannabis and cannabinoids in patients with various medical conditions, and related volunteer studies. The information is meagre but nevertheless it can be concluded that although cannabis itself is unsuitable for medical use, individual cannabinoids have a therapeutic potential in a number of medical conditions in which present drugs or other treatments are not fully adequate. As a party to the convendon, the UK Government would normally make a corresponding change to the misuse of drugs legislation to allow its prescription in the UK. This would be the responsibility of the Home Office.
