The British Medical Association has published a report backing the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. With this formal stamp of medical approval, should the drug be legalised?

Britain's doctors say drugs extracted from cannabis should be legally available. The BMA says chemicals found in the plant can relieve pain in people suffering illnesses like multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

These cannabinoid drugs can be found in other, synthesised, drugs - but there are side-effects. What's new is that the BMA say cannabis should be used instead of man made drugs because it doesn't have those harmful side-effects.

The drug is treated differently around the world. In Britain it is illegal to use or grow. Hospitals in Denmark use cannabis as part of a large scale programme to help people with Aids. In the USA, California and Arizona voted for the right to grow and use cannabis under doctor's orders - but the federal government reminded doctors that it was still a federal offence to prescribe the drug. Holland is famous for making cannabis widely available.

What happens where you are? Does the system work? Tell us what you think, and join in our vote.

More Reaction

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©