Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar has expressed concern that an increased availability of raw cannabis for medicinal purposes “could and would be abused, and be dangerous in our society in Wales”.

Speaking in yesterday’s Assembly Debate on ‘the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use’, in which the majority of AMs backed calls for cannabis for medicinal uses to be legalised, Darren said he supports the use of cannabis-derived drugs that are effective clinically, but objects to the use of raw cannabis for medicinal purposes.

He said:

“I object to the use of raw cannabis for medicinal purposes. I do not, however, object to the use of cannabis-derived drugs that are effective clinically and can reduce the sorts of symptoms that you and others in the Chamber this afternoon have been describing.

“We have a drug that is available in Wales, which I campaigned to be made available in Wales, and if other drugs pass through the regulatory hoops because they are found to be effective in relieving suffering, and they are derived from cannabis, then I'd have no problem with those either. But what I object to is an increased availability of raw cannabis, which I do believe could and would be abused, and be dangerous in our society in Wales.”

In the vote 31 AMs backed calls for the Welsh Government to lobby their UK counterparts to reschedule the drug for medical use. 2 voted against and 18 abstained, including the Welsh Government.

The vote is non-binding, but can be seen as an expression of the Assembly's view.