A NEW medicinal drug of which the main ingredient is cannabis has been approved today by the ministry of health.

Sativex is designed to help treat muscular contractions in patients with multiple sclerosis, informs health minister Trinidad Jiménez.

Therapeutic use of cannabis for multiple sclerosis sufferers, although still not legal, has been under investigations and the subject of clinical trials for many years.

Whilst controversial, many MS patients swear by the drug for its analgesic properties.

Now, those who suffer from muscle spasms can consume cannabis legally via an oral spray, provided it is prescribed by a specialist.

It is expected to be made legal and become available before the end of this year.

GW Pharmaceuticals, the company launching Savitex, say it has already been used under controlled conditions in Spain and Canada.

The firm is applying for its approval in other EU countries, including France, Italy and Germany.

It has already been approved in the UK a month ago.