Towards the legalization of medical cannabis in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The issue of legalizing cannabis for medical purposes has become a focal point of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia-Herzegovina. A recent conference, entitled «Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes - how to speed up the process», brought together representatives from various institutions across the country. The conference aimed to address the complexities surrounding the use of cannabis for medical purposes, by exploring ways of streamlining the legalization process.

The urgent need for clarity on medical cannabis

Saša Magazinović, a member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was one of the meusre's main advocates. Magazinović stressed the importance of providing legal access to cannabis for people facing incapacitating illnesses.

In his speech, he explained that «we're talking about a large number of people who suffer from great pain, autoimmune diseases, malignant diseases, neurological disorders... we're talking about people whose quality of life is significantly altered.»

Magazinović praised the diversity of conference participants, including representatives from the Council of Ministers, members of parliament, ministries of health, clinical centers, law enforcement agencies and various public institutions. Despite differing political orientations, the common goal is to facilitate the legal use of cannabis for medical purposes.

Drawing attention to the various global developments around cannabis, Magazinović recalled that three years ago, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs has reclassified cannabis and recognized its medicinal properties.

Nataša Grubiša, Director of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices, emphasized the need for clear, high-quality, controlled medicines. Concerned about the lack of information on the quality of illegal cannabis products currently available, Ms Grubiša said, «At the moment, we don't know what type of resins our patients are receiving, we don't know how they are dosed, or how they are administered.»

She stressed that entering this field is not just a matter of international obligation, but a commitment to ensuring that citizens receive safe, effective and high-quality medicines.

Nediljko Rimac, Minister of Health for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, provided a unique perspective, drawing on his experience as a former surgical oncologist. Mr. Rimac recognized the usefulness of cannabis in relieving severe pain and affirmed the support of the Federal Ministry of Health for this initiative. He declared: «The aim of today's event is to enable patients to obtain the necessary preparation in a legal manner». AA.