Medical cannabis in Europe

Last update: January 12, 2022

Medical cannabis is becoming an increasingly important part of the European landscape. On the whole, treatments based on dried cannabis flowers or extracts are available, but some countries are still reluctant, content to experiment or limit themselves to some cannabinoids or even their synthetic versions.

Detailed review of the medical cannabis in Europe, updated in line with developments in the various countries. The laws on medical cannabis generally follow the same cannabis laws in Europe, Whether it's a decriminalized status for cannabis or access via legal channels, as in the Netherlands.

Germany

In January 2017, Germany has legalized the therapeutic use of cannabis: pharmacies can supply patients with cannabis extract or dried flowers, and some patients are allowed to order synthetic derivatives (dronabinol) from abroad. In theory, out-of-pocket expenses are covered by insurance. Despite legalization, patients are finding it difficult to obtain supplies, as domestic cultivation has so far been limited. Indeed, most of Germany's supply comes from abroad. A public medical cannabis agency has been set up to take charge of the plant's cultivation and issue 3 medical cannabis production licenses. Nevertheless, domestic production will remain too low to satisfy the 300,000 patients.

Austria

Since July 2008, the medical use of cannabis has been legal, but cultivation is exclusively reserved for a government agency under the aegis of the Ministry of Health. Austria has declared that it will produce medical cannabis for its patients, but no harvesting has started since. It imports Dronabinol and Sativex for prescription patients.

Bulgaria

A bill proposing the legalization of cannabis was rejected by parliament in France. May 2016. Since then, the country has been at a standstill on this issue.

Belgium

Belgium legalized medical cannabis in 2001, yet no patients have been able to buy it in pharmacies. Sativex is authorized, but for conditions such as glaucoma or epilepsy. For dried flowers, patients have to turn to neighboring Holland or the few other countries. cannabis social clubs in the country who are facing tough justice on the subject.

Cyprus

The Cypriot Ministry of Health has long only authorized the use of cannabis oil for the palliative care of convicted cancer patients. In 2019, Cyprus has legalized medical cannabis. The cultivation and production of cannabis-based medicines is authorized, but reserved for a small number of licensees. Cannabis is distributed via state pharmacies and for a small number of medical conditions.

Croatia

Medical cannabis is legal in Croatia since 2015. Patients suffering from cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or HIV can request a prescription from their doctor. For the time being, the Canadian company Tilray is supplying Croatians with medical cannabis. At the beginning of February 2017, the government is considering setting up national production of industrial hemp. Croatians don't want to exceed the legal limit of 0.2% THC in plants and could use cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) for medicine.

Denmark

Denmark is gradually opening its doors to medical cannabis. For 4 years country to step up clinical trialss. A first test on epilepsy is currently being carried out in a specialized hospital.

Spain

Cannabis treatments are still banned in Spain. However, the relative tolerance of cannabis in Spain divides the authorities. Sativex has been authorized in Catalonia since 2013 for cancer patients. In early 2017, PP party spokesman Eduardo Van den Eyde called for a national debate on the legalization of medicinal cannabis. He himself claims to use it to help fight his cancer.

Finland

The therapeutic use of cannabis is authorized in Finland. Each application is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but Bedrocan and Sativex can be prescribed. The pathologies concerned by medical cannabis treatment are cancer, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

France

France authorizes only 1 natural cannabis-based drug, Epidiolex, via Temporary Use Authorizations (ATU) to be renewed every 28 days. Sativex, on the other hand, has obtained its marketing authorization in 2013, but its arrival in pharmacies is still blocked. Visit marinol, THC, synthetic THC, is authorized and available in dribs and drabs, via an Authorisation Temporaire d'Utilisation nominative, which has to be renewed frequently. In 10 years, around a hundred people have benefited from this authorization.

A experimentation with medical cannabis was launched in March 2021 for 2 years, with the aim of bringing together 3,000 patients selected from 5 medical conditions eligible for medical cannabis. 2 months after the launch, only 325 people were included in this experiment out of the 3,000 planned.

Patients self-medicating with cannabis in France are considered to be ordinary drug users, and therefore criminals, liable to a €3,750 fine or 1 year in prison.

Greece

Some twenty MPs have tabled a legalization bill of these products in July 2016, before finally legalize the medical use of cannabis in July 2017.

Hungary

While treatments with Sativex and Dronabinol are authorized in Hungary, medication based on dried flowers is prohibited.

Ireland

TheIreland legalizes the medical use of cannabis in 2016. December 2021, 1 first patient received medical cannabis. Ireland's medical cannabis program offers just three possibilities, These include spasticity linked to multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-related nausea and severe epilepsy, after having tried all available treatments to no avail.

Italy

Italy legalized the therapeutic use of cannabis in 2007. The country used to import Dutch medical cannabis, then decided to produce its own plants. The army's 2016 harvest has arrived in pharmacies, The quality is very low, and quantities are small. Italy therefore imports most of its medical cannabis. Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, glaucoma, anorexia, HIV, cancer and nausea can buy it on prescription.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has legalized medical cannabis on June 28, 2018, in the form of oils, capsules and pills. However, possession of cannabis is still illegal, even if the government has agreed to a minimal legalization of cannabis.

The Baltic States

Lithuania and Latvia do not allow therapeutic cannabis medication. L’Estonia has legalized medical consumption since 2005, but it is strictly regulated: only one patient has ever had access to cannabinoid-based medication. The Ravikanep organization is fighting to have the benefits of medical cannabis recognized and to facilitate its circulation in Estonia.

Malta

The government authorizes the distribution of cannabis for medical purposes under prescription. Bedrocan medicines are now available to patients. However, they will have to consult two different doctors to validate their request.

Netherlands

Since 2002, the Netherlands has been supplying Europe with therapeutic cannabis. Only Bedrocan owns the rights to produce and distribute medical cannabis. Under prescription, patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, nausea due to the effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, chronic pain, resistant glaucoma or Tourette's syndrome. Treatments are expensive and not always reimbursed by Dutch health insurance schemes.

Poland

Poland has legalized medical cannabis in June 2017.

Portugal

The Portuguese can consume any drug in a private space. Despite this decriminalization, citizens do not have access to cannabis treatments. Currently, deputies from various left-wing parties are working on a bill to legalize medical cannabis.

Romania

Romania legalized medical cannabis in 2013. However, no treatment is available for the patient. A spokesman for the national medicines agency says: «Legally, everything is ready, but no company has applied to market medical cannabis». Entrepreneurs may be put off by the THC limit of 0.2% (hemp). Sativex is authorized, but Romanians have to buy it in another country, as GW Pharmaceuticals is not interested in the market.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom legalized medical cannabis in 2018. Nevertheless, real patient access is extremely complicated and few people have access to cannabis through the NHS. An ecosystem of private clinics gives wealthier patients access to paid prescriptions, with no reimbursement for treatment.

Yet the Kingdom is the giant's motherland GW Pharmaceuticals which legally cultivates cannabis for the manufacture of Sativex and Epidiolex. The company has long been the only one able to grow cannabis legally in the country. Recently, a second license granted in the United Kingdom, and a first for Guernsey.

Czech Republic

Medical cannabis is legal in the Czech Republic. The country had been sourcing cannabis from the Netherlands since 2013 and wanted to set up its own local cannabis production to bring costs down. A total failure, the cannabis was produced but the authorities refused to approve its distribution. In addition to destroying 40 kilos of weed, For the time being, the Czech Republic has not set up a legal channel for access to medical cannabis. The next plantings are scheduled for June 2017. The Czechs are therefore hoping for a return of cannabis to pharmacies by 2018. Patients must apply to the authorities for a special prescription in order to obtain treatment.

Slovakia

No regulation of medical cannabis. Possession of more than three joints can lead to prison.

Slovenia

Cannabis has officially been upgraded from Class I to Class II (substances with medical value), and its use is no longer restricted to exceptional cases. Its medical use is reserved for cannabinoid-based medicines.

Sweden

Sativex is the only cannabinoid-based drug available on the Swedish market. A general practitioner must request a special prescription from the Swedish Medicines Agency. If the request is accepted, the patient must place an order with the nearest pharmacy.