Bosnia and Herzegovina Continues to Roll Out Medical Cannabis Following Its Legalization

Four months after the adoption by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Following the legalization of medical cannabis, authorities are now working to develop the regulatory framework needed to make cannabis-based medications available to patients at pharmacies.

From a Political Breakthrough to Regulatory Work

Visit december 2025, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially adopted a resolution to legalize the cannabis for medical purposes, thus bringing an end to years of political deadlock on this issue.

This announcement marked the culmination of a long campaign led by the congressman Saša Magazinović, who had been advocating for this reform for years alongside patients and patient rights advocates.

Commenting on this decision, Mr. Magazinović said:

«It reminds me of the first conference we organized at Parliament, where we heard testimonials from people who had been helped by cannabis oil. I have tears in my eyes as I watch people listen to their calls for the legalization of this substance. I remember all those meetings, those public appearances, that lobbying, those pleas, those arguments, those «warnings,» those messages from people in distress… It was all worth it. I’m overjoyed today.»

He also acknowledged that this legislative victory was only the beginning of the process.

«The most important step has been taken, but the devil is in the details. We’re moving forward, but it’s much easier now. A big thank you to Irfan Ribić, who was the catalyst for my commitment to the fight for the legalization of medical cannabis. Thank you to Minister Dubravka Bošnjak, who found a way to overcome the obstacles and propose a decision.»

Authorities are focusing on implementation

As a result of this legislative change, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized, on April 24, 2026, a roundtable discussion titled «Medical Cannabis: The Path to Accessible Treatments in Bosnia and Herzegovina».

The meeting brought together representatives from government institutions, health authorities, regulatory agencies, medical and pharmaceutical organizations, and patient advocacy groups. The goal was to establish a coordinated roadmap for implementing the new legislation and to ensure that patients would eventually have access to cannabis-based medicines under medical supervision.

The participants discussed the regulatory measures still needed before orders can be issued, including the adoption of implementing regulations, professional guidelines, and operational procedures across the country’s healthcare system.

A Model for Medical Care in Pharmacies

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the long-term goal is to create a regulated medical access system in which patients will be able to obtain approved cannabis-based products Available at pharmacies, by prescription only, and solely for approved medical uses.

In opening the meeting, the minister Dubravka Bošnjak pointed out that the Council of Ministers had removed the main legal obstacle to medical cannabis just four months ago, thereby ending more than a decade of legislative stagnation.

«This is an important step toward aligning the national system with modern medical practices, scientific knowledge, and the actual needs of patients for whom standard treatments often do not yield satisfactory results,» the minister emphasized.

However, Ms. Bošnjak also emphasized that legalization alone does not guarantee patient access. The authorities must now establish a comprehensive regulatory framework covering every stage of the supply chain.

She specified that this operational framework should include procedures for’drug registration, medical prescribing, pharmacovigilance, distribution, quality control, and professional oversight.

Patient access still depends on the implementation of new regulations

Although the Bosnia and Herzegovina has now officially legalized the medical marijuana, patients will have to wait for these regulatory measures to be implemented before cannabis-based treatments become available within the healthcare system.

The April roundtable discussion shows that the authorities are now focusing their attention not on political approval, but on practical implementation. The speed with which ministries, regulatory agencies, and healthcare professionals are able to finalize the necessary rules will determine when patients will be able to obtain cannabis-based medicines as required by law.

For advocates of this cause who have spent years campaigning for this reform, the December decision marked a historic milestone. The next challenge is to ensure that the legal framework translates into safe and effective access for patients across the country.