A MOTHER-OF-THREE has delivered a petition to the Prime Minister calling on medical cannabis to be available on the NHS.
Karen Gray, from Edinburgh, wants cannabidiol oil to be prescribed to her five-year-old son Murray, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy.
She believes the treatment could alleviate his symptoms – and has gathered the signatures of more than 170,000 people in support.
Mrs Gray said: “My son has spent years of his young life in hospital. There is an effective treatment that could give him his childhood back.
“To know it’s out there, but is being blocked by the Government is heart breaking. It’s simply common sense – if a treatment works we should let our NHS provide it."
She was joined by Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, who represents Edinburgh West and has supported Murray throughout the campaign.
The NHS does not currently provide cannabidiol products for medical use, despite the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency having declared them safe.
Ms Jardine is now seeking to secure a debate in the House of Commons to highlight Murray’s case.
She said: “I’m delighted for Karen and Murray that they have reached this target with such fantastic support from the public. But we must remember that there is more to be done and the important thing will be getting through to this Government how important it is to change the law.
“Children like Murray are suffering and it is within our grasp to change that. We mustn't lose sight of how important this is.
“I will be doing everything I can to ensure that we have another parliamentary debate on this issue and that cannabidoil based treatments are available to those whose lives they could change for the better.”
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