Luxembourg to restrict access to medical cannabis by 2025

Beginning January 1, 2025, Luxembourg will strengthen restrictions on access to medical marijuana, drawing criticism from various quarters, including the party the green, the Luxembourgish Green Party.

As medical cannabis is available in the strict regulatory framework since 2018, these new measures represent what some are calling a step backward for cannabis policy in the country.

More flowers

Under upcoming regulations, patients will no longer be able to access dried, high-THC cannabis flower through prescription. The government also plans to phase out CBD-rich cannabis flowers, leaving only oils and as therapeutic options Medical products containing THC or CBD.

This decision stems from an evaluation report dating back to 2022, which highlighted occasional prescription abuses. The Minister of Health, Martine Deprez, emphasized the risks associated with high cannabis consumption and expressed concern about the lack of solid medical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of treatments based on cannabis flowers. She pointed out the difficulties related to standardizing dosages and administration methods, which motivated the decision.

«We must act at this level,» declared Minister Deprez, adding that the pharmacy division of the Ministry of Health had decided to follow «France's example» in banning cannabis flower but intended to launch a transition phase in 2025 to evaluate the program and adapt it if necessary.

Critiques of the new measures

This announcement has drawn strong criticism, particularly from déi gréng Member of Parliament Djuna Bernard. She condemned this policy change, stating with the Daily:

«This is a striking setback that calls into question all the political gains related to the legalization of cannabis.»

Mme Bernard wondered if the voices of patients and treating physicians had been sufficiently taken into account in developing these changes. She also expressed concern about the lack of viable alternatives for patients who cannot use cannabis oils, highlighting the potential harm this decision could inflict on vulnerable groups.

At present, the medical marijuana in Luxembourg is prescribed under strict conditions to patients suffering from:

• Advanced or terminal chronic pathologies causing severe and untreatable pain
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting as part of cancer treatment
• Symptomatic muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.

Many of them rely on cannabis flower for the quick relief it offers and the customizable dosing possibilities it provides.

Former Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, and former Minister of Justice, Sam Tanson, had announced their intention to establish a state-managed medical cannabis cultivation program, an initiative that appears to have been abandoned by the current coalition government between the CSV and DP parties, which has not prioritized cannabis reforms.