Sir, – An online image with your article “GPs to be allowed prescribe medicinal cannabis” (August 15th), shows the cannabis available on prescription in the Netherlands, known as Bedrocan. This is cannabis grown in the Netherlands by a pharmaceutical company, standardised and available in ground form in the containers that you show, through doctor’s prescription and pharmacies.
However, the article itself refers to the whole cannabis extract, Sativex, as created by the UK pharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals, supplied in spray form in alcohol, and in the UK often denied patients due to the high cost which is many times more than that of the raw materials.
Sativex is very different from Bedrocan.
Meanwhile in the UK, while both Sativex and Bedrocan are denied to many in need, the law continues to threaten and punish those who are caught growing a few of the very same plants for their own use in their own homes.
I do hope that Ireland stops punishing such people for growing their own medicine. – Yours, etc,
ALUN BUFFRY,
Woodcock Road,
Norwich, England.
Sir, – “GPs to be allowed prescribe medicinal cannabis” (Front page, August 15th). Definitive proof that the health system has gone to pot? – Yours, etc,
DERMOT SHERLOCK,
Weston Park,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.