There were indications in the last year or so, of potential commercial interest in the growing of cannabis in Ireland for medical purposes – largely with a focus on export potential, the Department of Health has told Minister Stephen Donnelly.
There is no current framework permitting the cultivation of cannabis in Ireland for general medical purposes and no licences have been issued for this activity.
The Minister for Health is authorised to issue licences to cultivate cannabis for forensic analysis, or for research.
The Department said “Development of policy in this regard would probably concern the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Justice and Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and would require a coordinated approach to consider whether it is desirable to permit cultivation of cannabis for medical use in Ireland.”
