Cannabis 'possible in medical cases'

In his response, Mr Sharp said that under the law, the possession and importation of cannabis was ‘wholly unlawful except for purposes of research or other special purposes’.

He added: ‘In principle, the minister can lawfully issue a licence for the possession of cannabis for medicinal use, but there would need to be evidence of some genuine and special medical benefit that would justify the issuing of a licence for a special purpose. The term special purposes is a high bar to satisfy.’