The patient organisation Chronic Pain Ireland has announced it successfully applied in the name of a patient with severe chronic pain for a Department of Health-approved three-month licence for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The decision has been seen by medical professionals and campaigners as hugely significant, as about 20% of the Irish population suffers from chronic pain. At the moment, it is illegal to use medicinal cannabis for medical reasons, but a patient’s consultant can apply to the minister for health for a licence on a case-by-case basis.