Talks give hope to Oswestry cannabis oil campaigner

Roy Scott, 42, who has spinal injuries, has been asking for many years to be given cannabis oil to ease the violent seizures he has as a result of an accident.

Despite news that the Home Secretary has said specialist doctors will soon be able to prescribe the treatment, he fears he still wont receive the drug.

Mr Scott says he is still unable to get a prescription as he is coming up against the medical world’s individual prejudices. He says his consultant to date has not applied to a panel for him to be given the cannabis.

He says the seizures – which can throw him from his wheelchair – are remarkably eased by taking the drug in oil form.

In desperation this summer he ordered cannabis oil from the Netherlands. But it was confiscated by UK customs.

An appeal from his MP, Owen Paterson, to the Home Secretary, failed to see the confiscation overturned and Mr Scott said £100 of medication was incinerated.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.

He said the case of Billy Caldwell, the youngster who has severe epileptic seizures and had cannabis oil taken from him at an airport, had raised awareness of the need for medical cannabis to be legalised.

“I am pleased but unfortunately as yet it hasn’t helped me. I am now facing individual prejudice against the use of medical cannabis by my consultant.”

Mr Scott, who has to have 24-hour care, explained: “It is time for people to recognise the use of medical cannabis for a number of conditions. We are one of the largest exporters of medical cannabis yet we don’t really use it for treatment.

“The highs are taken out by these companies which produce it.”

Mr Paterson, who is supporting Mr Scott, also welcomed news of the impending change in the law.

He said: "It can’t come soon enough for some of my constituents. Medical cannabis will be available on prescription within a month."