Tomorrow this petition will be 5 weeks old and we have a milestone of 10,000 signatures already! Thank you all so so much!

Yesterday, at 2:45pm, we were able to get a debate on Fibromyalgia in the Dáil Chambers, of the Leinster House, thanks to People Before Profit TD, Gino Kenny for pushing the motion forward. He put motion out on the 26th of March to the Dail, and we were not expecting such a quick response, so that was awesome!

It was a great day, having Fibromyalgia campaigners Ursula Hakman and members of FibroIreland and Fibromyalgia Support Ireland( they can be found on Facebook) in to the Dáil to witness the debate. However, what we need now, is a firm commitment and action from the government to officially recognise and include Fibromyalgia on the Long Term Illness Scheme as a long term disability.

The following are links to the debate, which you can watch down below:

*Marc Macsharry: https://www.facebook.com/marc.macsharry/videos/407046163193971/?v=407046163193971

*Gino Kenny: https://www.facebook.com/CllrGinoKenny/videos/331816017689821/?v=331816017689821

*John McGuinness: https://www.facebook.com/videoparliamentireland/videos/655037008282327/?v=655037008282327

*Fibromyalgia Campaigners:https://www.facebook.com/CllrGinoKenny/videos/645483869225504/?v=645483869225504

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An organisation called United in Pain, also has a petition for access to Medical Cannabis in Ireland, which would definitely be of help,in having a right to seek an alternative choice for chronic pain patients, in which TD Gino is also advocating in. Their updates can be found on their Facebook page.

TD Gino Kenny raised the issue of the Medicinal Cannabis Access Programme with the government. He asked when the programme will be set up and about the restrictive nature of the programme.“There are so many people that are unable to access medicinal cannabis due to the outdated laws surrounding cannabis in this country. Cannabis-based medicines can provide much needed benefits, such as pain relief or relief from spasms or seizures, for people suffering from a variety of conditions including Fibromyalgia, Cancer, MS and Epilepsy.

Passing the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Bill and making cannabis-based medicines available, on the same basis as other medicines, for those who need it is of the utmost importance” 

Medicinal Cannabis is widely recognized internationally as being an effective treatment for chronic pain yet access to it in Ireland is prohibitive in terms of eligibility , access and cost. Government must move to introduce easy access through guidelines and training to the relevant physicians.

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/chronic-pain-sufferers-need-medical-cannabis-trials-now

Video of Debate: https://www.facebook.com/CllrGinoKenny/videos/514371085756650/?v=514371085756650