Greece on the road to legalizing medical cannabis

The Greek Ministry of Health is reportedly prepared to propose changes to the legislation governing the use and production of medical cannabis, according to the newspaper Ekathimerini.

Health Minister Andreas Xanthos suggested that steps are being taken to allow doctors to prescribe medications containing cannabis for purely therapeutic purposes.

The government must also introduce a bill to authorize the production of these medications in Greece. The ministry’s decision is based on scientific studies demonstrating the effectiveness of medical cannabis in treating certain diseases. In fact, in July 2016, the country had launched a consultation within an expert group to discuss the potential uses of medical cannabis for future patients.

Greek experts suggest that cannabis use helps relieve the symptoms of chronic pain, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. They also note that cannabis can be addictive and that regular use can cause psychotic disorders.

Recently, 36 Syriza lawmakers called for the legalization of medical cannabis by submitting a question titled «National Plan for Medical Cannabis» to the Greek Ministry of Health. This followed a request filed in February regarding the production of medical cannabis.

The ministry had then issued a decree leading to the first cultivation of industrial hemp, which is expected to be harvested in the fall. Members of Parliament, however, called for THC-based medications to be prescribed and for the possession of cannabis for medical use to be legalized.