Cross-party support for Lanarkshire schoolboy at first Holyrood debate on medical cannabis access but health minister's absence was 'kick in the teeth'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Lanarkshire schoolboy Cole Thomson was at the heart of Holyrood's first ever members' debate on access to medicinal cannabis.Led by East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson who highlighted the nine-year-old's desperate plight, members of the cross-party group on medicinal cannabis called the debate "long overdue" and made impassioned pleas to parliament to recognise cannabis oil as a "critical lifeline" to patients like Cole.However, to Cole's mum's disappointment, notably absent on the day (June 1) was Health Minister Humza Yousaf, with Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care instead answering members' questions.Lisa Quarrell told Lanarkshire Live the debate was a massively important first for Cole and for the Scottish Parliament, but she left feeling defeated yet again.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android "Collette's opening speech was phenomenal and the other members all spoke really well and made really valid points", she said. "It's nice to have people so invested for the right reasons and talk from the heart with genuine passion."But it was frustrating and so disapponting the Scottish Government put up Kevin Stewart who has no background or relevance with this issue."It was obvious he came with a pre-written script and couldn't answer the questions put to him - it just shows