Legalising cannabis-use for medical purposes will only be considered if a request for such treatment is made, according to Chris Fearne.

Asked whether the government would consider taking the initiative on the matter, the Health Parliamentary Secretary said yesterday it was not up to politicians to file requests with the Medicines Authority.

“The government would consider legalising the use of non-smoking cannabis for medical purposes if there was a request from industry or from a professional body,” Mr Fearne said.

He was reacting to a call by former health minister Godfrey Farrugia for the legalisation of non-smoked cannabis for medical purposes.

Speaking during the adjournment in Parliament on Monday, Dr Farrugia said cannabis could be used in the same way as morphine for palliative care. Some countries have legalised the use of medical preparations containing cannabis and a pharmaceutical product in the form of an oral spray is available on the market. However, the product cannot be sold in Malta.

Some of the approved uses include the treatment of nausea and vomiting during cancer chemotherapy and the relief of pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

The issue raised by Dr Farrugia is completely distinct from the government initiative to decriminalise the personal use of drugs.

Mr Fearne said no request for the importation of medicines containing cannabis had ever been made. “If that is the case, the government would consider publishing a White Paper.”

Opposition health spokesman Claudio Grech was cautious when asked about the idea floated in Parliament. “It is unclear if Dr Farrugia’s proposal is also the government’s position. In this regard, the PN will wait for the government’s clinical proposal on thismatter and will certainly participate actively in any ensuing policy discussion,” he replied.