Belgium: MPs propose creating a federal agency to control the production of medical cannabis

Medical cannabis is technically legal in Belgium since 2001 but, in reality, only Sativex is available. While the use and sale of medical cannabis are authorized under extremely strict conditions, production remains prohibited. A bill introduced by Belgian MPs aims to change this by proposing the creation of a federal agency to oversee the production of medical cannabis and its international trade.

A strict interpretation of international treaties

The 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which Belgium has ratified along with the majority of the world's countries, stipulates that the cultivation of cannabis may only be authorized for medical or research purposes and under the strict control of a government agency. This agency would be responsible for selecting land for cultivation, granting production licenses and monopolizing imports and exports. This amounts to a quasi-government monopoly: production is not state-owned, but remains under the tight control of a government agency.

The bill introduced on Thursday by MPs from the MR, CD&V and Open Vld government parties aims to comply with the provisions of the international convention. MP Els Van Hoof explains: «We need a ‘government agency’ to guarantee the safe, standardized and controlled production of medical cannabis. That's what we're aiming for with this bill». This agency would be integrated into the Federal Medicines Agency and would have a monopoly on the medical cannabis trade, as CD&V MP Nele Lijnen explains: «The agency would buy the crops and exercise control. This would give the government a monopoly on the trade, import and export of cannabis for medical purposes».

What does the future hold for medical cannabis in Belgium?

A similar project had been presented by the Minister of Health Maggie De Block, but political complications, including the resignation of the Prime Minister, had hampered progress on the project. Today, the initiative has been taken by parliamentarians, but Maggie De Block, who is still in office, was involved in drafting the new text. With some opposition parties already committed to the idea of domestic production of medical cannabis, the text has a good chance of success. It must now be examined by the Public Health Committee.

In the meantime, Belgian entrepreneurs have already stepped up to the plate and are hoping to be able to grow cannabis soon. Among them is a company based in Limburg, Rendocan, had already declared her readiness and are just waiting for authorization from the relevant authorities. In Liège, others like Julien are waiting for the necessary authorizations to open cannabis clubs based on the Spanish model.