Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 19 October 2021.
Thank you. In relation to your second point, around co-operative housing, I'm very aware, as I'm sure the Member is, that the Minister for Climate Change, who has responsibility for housing, very much wants a co-operative housing focus. I know she absolutely thinks that co-operative principles should be a priority, and the focus has to be, in relation to the housing sector, on embedding those core principles. And I know she supports the further development of community-led housing, where there is a registered social landlord partner, through our social housing grant. We've also funded the Wales Co-operative Centre to design the delivery that support groups need in relation to our housing needs, and, I think, there are now around 50 community groups that are engaged with Communities Creating Homes, and that support will continue. I know she's put further financial resources into that, in conjunction with the Nationwide Foundation.
In relation to your first question, around medicinal cannabis, as you will be aware, it's regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and, therefore, it's a reserved issue for the UK Government. But, of course, access and funding of medicines is a devolved issue, and, therefore, the devolved administrations are responsible for NHS funding of prescriptions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance in situations where the use of medicinal cannabis may be supported by evidence, but we know that further research is needed to confirm effectiveness, because studies to date have generally been very small or have deficits in their methodology. So, I think, until such a time as clinical trials have been completed, prescribing should be in line with evidence-based guidelines.