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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK NI: New cannabis oil rules will deny my son vital medication he needs: mum
Belfast Telegraph Saturday 03 Nov 2018 Castlederg boy Billy Caldwell (13) was at the forefront of a high-profile campaign for the relaxation of regulations around cannabis-based products for medicinal use. Patients can be prescribed these products through specialist hospital doctors if they are determined to have an "unmet clinical need". The new guidance, drawn up by the British Paediatric Neurology Association, says the only cannabis-based medicine recommended for epileptic children is Epidiolex, a liquid which contains cannabidiol (CBD). The guidance said "CBD is a chemical substance found in cannabis that has medical benefits. It won't get you high, because it doesn't contain THC (tetrahydracannabinol) - the chemical in cannabis that gets you high." But the medicine that has reduced Billy's seizures from up to 100 a day to almost zero contains a small amount of THC. Mum Charlotte said: "I feel deeply disappointed and let down. Based on the guidelines, it is unlikely that the medicine Billy needs will be available. "As it stands, my wee lad Billy would not be able to get a repeat prescription for his medicine in the UK, and it would be very likely if we left the country and came back with a repeat prescription then it would be confiscated at Heathrow again. "As a mummy who has seen her wee boy go through hell and back, a great deal of hope and belief has gone out the window. "There's lots of patients will be extremely disappointed this morning and for a good few weeks or months ahead. "But promises were made by politicians this summer, and we have to make sure the policymakers keep those promises." Charlotte said it was necessary for politicians to realise there are certain conditions which can only be treated with medicinal cannabis. Blair Gibbs, the policy head for the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, which campaigned for the return of Billy's medicine during the summer, said the process had "moved incredibly fast", but that there was still progress which needed to be made. Charlotte is now planning a trip to Canada where Billy will be able to get the cannabis-based medicine which has had such a transformative effect on his condition. Writing on her Facebook page, she asked: "How long are we going to have to keep leaving the country to get the best consultations and medications?" The new rules do allow neurologist to prescribe other cannabis-based drugs containing THC, but to do so the medics would have to go against the advice of their professional body. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-cannabis-oil-rules-will-deny-my-son-vital-medication-he-needs-mum-37486686.html
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