In 2019, medical cannabis was recognised as a medical intervention. That was underpinned by legislation by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. Nine months ago the medical cannabis access programme commenced. Many of us who campaigned for that programme were joyous. Since then only 12 patients have been prescribed medical cannabis under prescription for the first time under the health service. This is far too restrictive. People who need access have to go to the black market, some go abroad or worse still, as I am told in the many weekly calls I receive, have to go without. Many of us welcomed this programme but it is far too restrictive. Looking at the same model in Denmark, thousands of people have access to the medical cannabis access programme there. The review is due this year and I do not think the current programme criteria are fit for purpose.

I will speak to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, on that issue as I am not as up-to-date on the issue as I would have been in the past. Certainly, 12 people seems a very low number. I appreciate that many consultant neurologists have doubts about the clinical efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for certain illnesses. While it is not for us to tell doctors what to prescribe and when, it nonetheless seems a very low number and I will definitely raise the issue with the Minister.