Denmark: ex-minister sues state to legalize cannabis

Manu Sareen, Denmark's former Minister for Equality, believes that plans for medical trials on cannabis are moving too slowly. He is therefore taking the Danish government to court and asking the Danish Medicines Agency to legalize the medical use of cannabis.

«I can't wait and the Danes won't wait,» he explains. Manu Sareen has a special relationship with the subject. Leader of Denmark's Social Liberal Party, he used to use oil from cannabidiol (CBD) to manage the stress and pressure of a 4-portfolio department.

Since 2011, a Danish doctor has been able to prescribe medical cannabis, in the form of Sativex (natural THC and CBD), Marinol or Nabilone (synthetic THC). The choice is therefore limited for patients, who often end up buying on the black market.

Pilot project for medical cannabis program to begin on January 1, 2018 in Denmark and will last 4 years. At the end of the trial, a report based on ongoing evaluations will be drawn up, concluding whether medical cannabis should be legalized.

But 4 years is a long time, and Manu Sareen insists on the urgency of the matter. His plan of attack is to show that the ban on importing cannabinoid-based medicines into Denmark violates the rule of free circulation of goods in Europe.

According to Le Monde, The director of the Danish Medicines Agency doubts the positive outcome of the complaint, but insists on the need to test before legislating.

Manu Sareen, in addition to his complaint, has decided to create a patient association for medical cannabis, under the initiative Legalize Nature, accompanied by a crowdfunding to contribute to the legal costs and the team behind the complaint.