Spain to approve the use of medical cannabis

A subcommittee of the Spanish Congress approved a bill yesterday that would authorize the medical use of cannabis in the country.

The bill must now be sent to the Health Committee for a final vote on June 28, where it is expected to be approved. After that, the Spanish Medicines Agency will have six months to incorporate the new recommendations into the regulations, without the need to pass new laws.

The text outlines which patients could be treated with cannabis-derived products, including flowers. This will apply to cases of «multiple sclerosis, certain forms of epilepsy, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy, endometriosis, cancer-related pain, and chronic non-cancer-related pain (including neuropathic pain), and may be extended to other therapeutic indications when studies provide evidence to support this.».

The bill also covers dispensing, which is expected to take place through pharmacies, specifying that «formulations containing standardized cannabis extracts or preparations must be produced through the healthcare system’s pharmacy network, preferably in hospital pharmacies, while also exploring the option of community pharmacies that can meet the requirements.»

Prescriptions will be issued «preferably» by «specialist» physicians who are competent in the relevant fields. In addition, they will receive training on the’therapeutic use of cannabis is offered.

The bill was supported by most Spanish political parties, including Podemos and the PSOE. Only the right-wing and far-right parties, the PP and Vox, voted against its passage.

Like the The United Kingdom in the past, Spain already produces medical cannabis but has not yet been able to prescribe it within its borders.