German doctors welcome the legalization of medical cannabis

Just like the France, Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Germany. Starting this month, its medical use is permitted on a broader basis. This is good news for both doctors and patients.

Before the German Parliament Does Not Legalize Medical Cannabis, the only way for patients to be prescribed cannabis treatment was to apply and then wait for a special, individualized authorization, granted on a case-by-case basis, particularly for people who were very ill.

Only about 1,000 people had been granted the right to receive medical treatment. Some died before their applications could be processed. And patients had to cover the costs of their treatment themselves.

From now on, doctors can write prescriptions directly for patients who, for example, suffer from chronic pain or a loss of appetite due to an illness. German health insurance now covers cannabis-based treatments.

To regulate the distribution of medical cannabis, a Cannabis Agency was established under the auspices of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

Doctors are now on the front lines when it comes to determining who can be prescribed cannabis, even though the government has drawn up a list of «official» medical conditions.

In 2016, Germany imported 170 kg of cannabis for medical purposes, double the amount from the previous year. The country will continue to import cannabis from the Netherlands and Canada until a production process is in place.

«I predict some growth in this therapy, although it’s unclear just how far it will go,» said Josef Mischo, an addiction expert with the German Medical Association. «As a medical community, we welcome the fact that treatment options have been expanded.»

He added, regarding the possibility of legalizing cannabis: «As far as recreational use is concerned, based on the studies conducted, we cannot say today that cannabis is risk-free. If someone uses cannabis for a long time as a teenager or young adult, there are negative effects. But it’s not clear whether legalization provides more protection than when it’s illegal.»

German cannabis organizations, for their part, are asking for more information on how to obtain production and distribution licenses—specifically, which strains will be available and what quantities will need to be produced… Is this a step toward creating a new European cannabis powerhouse?