Spain grants medical cannabis production license but does not authorize its use

Like the United Kingdom in its time, Spain allows the cultivation of medical cannabis on its soil, but does not authorize Spaniards to use cannabis for medical purposes. Cannabis produced in Spain is for export only, and is still regulated by a law issued under Franco in 1967.

This month, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) granted a new authorization for cannabis production medical purposes to Medalchemy, part of Emmac, a UK-based European group, which has including the acquisition of Hello Joya in France. The authorization for cultivation was given after the company had been inspected and issued with a certificate of compliance with the manufacturing standards required for the production of cannabis extracts for medical purposes.

Medalchemy will begin production for «immediate» distribution of a series of medicinal cannabis products in various European countries and other continents where national legislation permits, an offering that will include «white label» products, according to a statement by Javier Soto, General Manager of Emmac in Spain.

This medical cannabis production license is the first to be granted during the mandate of the coalition government between PSOE and Podemos. Despite Podemos in favor of legalizing cannabis, For the time being, the Spanish government has made no progress on the issue of medical and recreational cannabis in Spain. However, Spanish patients can grow their own cannabis at home, or turn to Cannabis Clubs if they are unable to do so.

In addition to Medalchemy, 3 other companies are seen licensing :

• Cafina, acquired in April 2019 by Canopy Growth
• Linneo Health, heir to Alcaliber, world leader in morphine-based medicines, sold in 2018 by Torreal and Sanofi to a British investment fund
• Oils4cure for a clinical trial