Cannabis pills on the NHS 'in two years'

Cannabis is expected to be legalised within two years for use as a medicinal drug for multiple sclerosis as well as cancer sufferers.

Alan Milburn, the Health Secretary, will tomorrow tell the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) to urgently consider whether two cannabis-based drugs, currently under trial by manufacturers, should be available on the NHS.

If their findings prove positive, the pain-killing drugs will be on prescription by 2004.

A Department of Health source said: "Nice will need to look at the effectiveness of it. If it is judged to be clinically effective, we want to have it available where it is appropriate on the NHS."

Patients involved in trials have described the cannabis-based products as a "wonder drug". But sources said the cannabis derivatives were not the same as "joints or little cakes" and did not sanction the drug for recreational use.

One of the drugs which will be considered by Nice is Cannabis-Based Medicinal Extract (CBNE) by GW Pharmaceuticals – an under-the-tongue spray. The other is Dronabinol, a tablet, made by Solvay Healthcare.

The investigation into how useful and safe the drugs are could begin quickly. A month-long consultation period with doctors and patients will follow the Department of Health's announcement. The Nice investigation will follow.

For Britain's 60,000 multiple sclerosis sufferers and some cancer patients, the move could be life-changing.

As well as easing pain, the drugs are thought to help minimise other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting as well as spasms.

If the drugs are made available, it could pave the way for other treatments derived from cannabis. Doctors believe cannabis could eventually prove useful in treating conditions including osteoporosis, HIV and Aids, arthritis, spinal injuries and some forms of mental illness.