By Johnny Kelly

Medicinal Cannabis- photo courtesy of BBC News

There are currently only three people in the Dublin area receiving medicinal cannabis according to the Health Service Executive.

The figure was confirmed to TheCity.ie  following a freedom of information request. 

The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) was launched in the summer of 2019 by then Health Minister Simon Harris as a pilot programme for five years. 

Barry Fuchs (30) from Swords was diagnosed with an inflammatory disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis a few years ago. The condition is a type of arthritis that causes the vertebrae in the spine to fuse. 

Speaking to thecity.ie he describes his pain.

“My condition causes me to be very stiff and sore, especially in the mornings there before I move around and do my stretches,” he says.  

Once simple tasks such as tying his shoelaces or putting on his jumper have now become ordeals. 

“I asked my GP about the medical cannabis but he told me that he doesn’t think I’m at that stage yet, so, maybe if I get very bad he might let me,” he adds with optimism. “I just think medical cannabis could help just take your mind off it at certain points during the day and also help you sleep at night.”

Currently the MCAP only applies to people with multiple sclerosis, people with severe epilepsy or patients suffering bad side effects from chemotherapy. Researchers don’t know for certain if cannabis can ease the symptoms of arthritis, but some studies suggest it helps with pain relieve and aids sleeping. 

TD Gino Kenny told thecity.ie that “hopefully the MCAP will be expand to include other conditions. There is an ongoing review into the programme and early next year they will announce if the programme should include any other conditions.”

The People before Profit TD has been a vocally prominent supporter of decriminalising cannabis and legalising medicinal marijuana. Last week he introduced a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 that would legalise cannabis for personal use. “Seven grams would be personal use,” Mr Kenny tells thecity.ie, adding “this [would be] emulating what has happening in Malta and Luxemburg.” 

The bill first needs to be approved by Government TDs before going for a vote. “Hopefully early next year we will have a debate and more crucially a vote to see if the bill should progress to the next stage of the process. Even if it does progress that doesn’t necessary mean it will become law,” Gino warned.

According to Euronews.com, medicinal cannabis has been available in Germany since 2016. The German health minister unveiled plans this month to legalise it for recreational use.