On May 20, a record 89 MPs in Britain's parliament openly backed a private bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana. Labour MP Paul Flynn, who introduced the bill, has been a longstanding supporter of a more rational drug policy, and called on government to "allow sick people to benefit from the 3000 year old medicine."
Two weeks later, British drug tsar Keith Hellawell told BBC News that he also supports the medical use of marijuana. "I support the use of cannabis on medical grounds," said Hellawell. "I've met a lot of people who have got genuine illnesses and feel that this substance can help them." However, Hellawell said that he does not think cannabis should be available by prescription until more clinical trials are completed.