Cyprus to distribute free cannabis oil to terminally ill cancer patients

Cyprus's Minister of Health, George Pamboridis, announced that terminally ill cancer patients will be able to try to relieve their pain with’cannabis oil. The government has also launched a public consultation to expand its medical cannabis program.

Free oil for terminally ill patients

Cannabis oil should be distributed free of charge to patients with terminal cancer. Each patient or their family will need to submit a request to the Ministry of Health. Distribution oil will be performed only if patients no longer respond to other treatments available in a hospital setting. In other words, it is a way to relieve pain during palliative care and attempt to prevent a painful death.

The Minister of Health states in Chyprus Weekly that cannabis oil will be imported from countries at the forefront of medical cannabis research. For now, George Pamboridis says he is in contact with companies in Israel, Canada, and Croatia.

An expansion of the medical cannabis program?

On the island of Cyprus, possession of medical cannabis is Possession of small amounts is no longer a criminal offense. According to Cyprus Mail, the government is preparing to enact legislation on the therapeutic use of cannabis. The government held a public consultation in March. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing requests from Cypriot citizens regarding medical cannabis. Following this public consultation, the Ministry of Health will issue new regulations in the «Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Medical Cannabis) Regulations of 2017». This document is published in Greek only.

According to the Cyprus Mail, certain medical specialists will then be able to prescribe medical cannabis. Patients will have to purchase their medication at a pharmacy. The conditions for obtaining cannabis at a pharmacy have not been specified.

To prevent abuse, the government will impose a maximum monthly cannabis quota per patient. Each individual receiving this new medication must have a monitoring form to prevent abuse.

Medical cannabis is not yet fully legal in Cyprus, but opening a public dialogue between the authorities and citizens seems to be a good compromise.

Théo Caillart