Medicinal use of cannabis oil is now legal in the Cayman Islands for the treatment of conditions such as epilepsy and cancer and as a pain reliever for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis symptoms, according to a report from the Cayman News Service. The amendment to the island nation’s Misuse of Drugs Law was signed by Gov. Helen Kilpatrick last week with the full support of the Legislative Assembly.
The changes permit physicians to prescribe medical cannabis and for pharmacies to dispense it, but does not allow for cannabis to be grown in the Cayman Islands. According to a Cayman Compass report, last month the legislature passed laws allowing for the importation of cannabis oil, anticipating that Kilpatrick would sign the measure. According to the final version of the law, it is up to the Cabinet to devise rules and regulations governing the program, including importation issues, storage, and dispensing.
Dennie Warren, an advocate who pushed for the legislation after his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, says he has identified ways to procure cannabis oil from Jamaica and Canada — a process he can start now that the law has been changed.
The measure makes no changes to the criminalization of other forms of cannabis nor possession or use.
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