Denmark to test medical cannabis

The Danish government has announced that from 2018, doctors will be able to prescribe medical cannabis to certain patients.

The government has declared that this 4-year programme, which will has been under study since the summer, The Danish Medical Authority (Lægemiddelstyrelsen) has determined that a «defined group of patients» can be treated with therapeutic cannabis. The Danish Medical Authority (Lægemiddelstyrelsen) has determined that the diseases eligible for treatment are multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, spinal cord injury and nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy.

«The pilot project, which will take effect on January 1, 2018, will make it possible for certain patients who today treat themselves to be treated legally with medicinal cannabis within the healthcare system,» announced the Ministry of Health press release.

This pilot project marks a profound change in the way the including Denmark usually deals with the use of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes.

The latest polls in the country showed that 88% of Danes were in favor of legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes, while a narrow majority favored recreational legalization. The debate on cannabis legalization in Denmark had shifted into high gear after the numerous police raids on Christiania and the closure of many cannabis stalls.

Various political parties now support the legalization of cannabis in the country, but the three largest parties - Venstre (the left-wing party), the Social Democrats and the Danish People's Party - remain opposed to the legalization of cannabis for recreational use.

The Health Minister added that the 4-year trial of medical cannabis «will be evaluated so that Parliament can then decide whether it should be made permanent».

Details of this trial program can be found at here, in Danish (don't thank us 😉 ).