I rise to present my petition on cannabis oil for medical use. The inspiration for it has been an incredibly engaging online petition started by my constituent, Paul Keeney. It was started by Paul from his hospital bed during his ongoing battle with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. His petition calls for cannabis oil to be used medically and legally in the UK, and has to this day been signed by 288,161 people on change.org. In presenting this petition I would like to pay deep personal respect to Paul for his bravery and courage and that of his family. The petitioners request that the House of Commons urges the Government to legalise cannabis oil for medical use in the United Kingdom.

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that it is an injustice that sufferers of long term and terminal illness in the United Kingdom are currently unable to legally access Cannabis Oil for medical use which may in many cases be their only relief from pain or suffering; further that an online petition by Wansbeck Constituent, Paul Keeney, which has gathered the support of over 280,000 signatories in its calls for the Government to legalise Cannabis Oil for medical use; further the Government should listen to these calls and immediately act on reforming legislation which currently prevents cannabis oil being used in medical treatment in the United Kingdom; and further that in support of that petition and the work of Paul Keeney, this petition seeks to bring the attention of the Government to this important issue and further call for immediate action to be taken to legalise Cannabis Oil for Medical Use.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to legalise Cannabis Oil for medical use in the United Kingdom

And the petitioners remain, etc.]

[P002161]

I have noted, and colleagues will have noted, that the hon. Member for Aldershot (Leo Docherty) has now beetled into the Chamber, admittedly earlier than the time at which he would have originally expected to present his petition. It is a tad out of sequence, but no matter: we will wish to hear the hon. Gentleman present his petition.