It's been happening in certain states in the USA for a few years, and now it looks like it might start happening in the UK too.
We're talking about prescriptions for medicinal marijuana. There has been a huge shift in the perception of cannabis as a medicinal tool in recent years, mainly due to substantial proof that it really does help with the likes of arthritis, Alzheimer's, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other afflictions.
And in a surprise move, the government has announced measures which could well make it easier for people to access medicinal cannabis.
Home Office minister Nick Hurd today announced in the House Of Commons an expert panel, made up of clinicians, who will look at the scientific benefits of cannabis medicine as well as any individual applications.
Despite the high profile cases of Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley, two epileptic children whose conditions vastly improved with cannabis oil, it remains almost impossible for anybody to get it on prescription.
Led by chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies, the panel is a sign that the government might be willing to shift its stance on the issue. Mr Hurd said that the cases of the two boys had 'highlighted the need for the Government to explore the issue further and our handling of these issues further'.
The immediate catalyst was Billy's mother, Charlotte Caldwell, who had to snuggle in the medicine from Canada. But it was only when the Home Secretary stepped in, after her son began having extreme seizures, that the medicine was released to him in hospital.
Billy was today released from hospital - the result of the medicine bringing his severe condition under control and highlighting very clearly the beneficial effects in can have in certain instances.
Mr Hurd was keen to point out, however, that blanket legalization of medical cannabis was a long way off and that measure would be put in place to ensure it didn't result in the backdoor legalization of the drug for recreational use.
"I recognise the need to ensure the approach to licensing works more effectively," Mr Hurd told the House of Commons. "This is new, this is difficult, we need to get this absolutely right, not least to make sure these licenses stand up to legal scrutiny.
"There is a process, we are feeling our way, but it does need to be done properly."
Featured Image Credit: BBCTopics: UK News, News, Cannabis