Medicinal cannabis is set to be available on prescription in the UK within the next month, helping thousands of people suffering from chronic pain.
Experts are predicting that around 10,000 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) will also benefit from the government's move.
As it stands, cannabis oil is only ever prescribed in 'exceptional circumstances', and always has to be granted by a medical panel.
However, the Home Office decided that it will relax these strict rules and lift restrictions to make the plant more accessible to those whose health could benefit from it.
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Home Secretary Sajid Javid has reportedly sanctioned the 'rescheduling' of the currently illegal treatment, and an official announcement is expected within the next two weeks. This means that medicinal cannabis could be prescribed almost immediately.
Patients will no longer need to try other treatments before specialist doctors prescribe cannabis-derived medicines, with those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain as a result of chemotherapy and MS being given the option of these drugs.
"This is very encouraging progress for thousands of people with MS who have been forced to choose between living with relentless pain and muscle spasm or breaking the law," MS Society's Genevieve Edwards told the Sunday Telegraph.
This lift on rules will only apply to cannabis that contains THC - the main psychoactive compound in the drug that produces highs in recreational use. Cannabis oils that do not contain THC are already legal in the UK, and can be bought on most high streets.
The turning point was reportedly prompted after the Home Office granted Charlotte Caldwell's 12-year-old son, Billy, an urgent licence to use cannabis oil to treat his intractable epilepsy, which causes him to suffer up to 100 seizures a day.
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Billy's mum says that the medicinal cannabis virtually cured his symptoms.
A government spokesperson said: "We completely sympathise with the families who have been facing desperate situations as they try to find treatment.
"In July the Home Secretary committed to swift action on behalf of those whose medical conditions could potentially be eased by cannabis-based products and we have announced that cannabis-based products for medicinal use will be available for specialist doctors to prescribe legally from the Autumn."