Medical cannabis is legal in many countries, but not all patients can access it easily or affordably. Some face barriers such as a lack of supply, restrictive regulations, or social stigma. As a result, many patients resort to buying cannabis from the illicit market, risking their health and safety.
The legal status of medical cannabis around the world
Medical cannabis is the use of cannabis or its extracts to treat certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is evidence that cannabis can have therapeutic effects for some patients1
However, the legal status of medical cannabis varies widely across the world. Some countries, such as Canada, Uruguay, and South Africa, have legalized cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. Others, such as Australia, Germany, and Israel, have legalized cannabis for medical use only, with strict regulations and requirements. Some countries, such as China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, have banned cannabis for any use, imposing harsh penalties for possession or consumption2.
Even within countries that have legalized medical cannabis, there are differences in how patients can access it. Some countries allow patients to grow their own cannabis plants, while others require them to obtain a prescription from a doctor and buy cannabis products from licensed dispensaries or pharmacies. Some countries cover the cost of medical cannabis under their health insurance schemes, while others leave patients to pay out of pocket. Some countries have a wide range of cannabis products available, while others limit the types and forms of cannabis that patients can use.
The challenges and risks of accessing medical cannabis
Despite the legal and medical recognition of cannabis as a potential treatment option, many patients face challenges and risks when trying to access it. Some of the common issues include:
- Supply shortages: Some countries that have legalized medical cannabis do not have enough domestic production or importation to meet the demand. For example, in Greece, where medical cannabis was legalized in 2017, patients still cannot access legal products due to delays in licensing and cultivation. As a result, patients have to rely on the illegal market or grow their own cannabis, which is technically illegal.
- High costs: Medical cannabis can be very expensive, especially for patients who need to use it regularly or in large doses. The price of medical cannabis depends on various factors, such as the quality, quantity, type, and form of the product, as well as the taxes and fees imposed by the government. In some countries, such as the UK, medical cannabis is not covered by the national health service, forcing patients to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds per month. In other countries, such as Australia, medical cannabis is subsidized by the government but still costs more than the illicit market.
- Restrictive regulations: Some countries that have legalized medical cannabis have strict rules and criteria for who can use it, how they can use it, and where they can get it. For example, in France, where medical cannabis was legalized in 2020, only patients with certain conditions, such as neuropathic pain, epilepsy, or palliative care, can qualify for a trial program that provides them with free cannabis products. However, the products are limited to oils and capsules, and patients have to obtain them from designated hospitals.
- Social stigma: Medical cannabis still faces a lot of stigma and prejudice from society, especially from those who associate it with recreational use, addiction, or crime. Many patients who use medical cannabis face discrimination, harassment, or isolation from their family, friends, employers, or health professionals. Some patients are afraid to disclose their use of medical cannabis or to seek help or advice for fear of being judged, shamed, or penalized.
The need for more awareness and support for medical cannabis patients
Medical cannabis patients deserve to have access to safe, effective, and affordable treatment options without having to resort to the black market or risk their health and safety. To achieve this, there is a need for more awareness and support for medical cannabis patients from both the government and society. Some of the possible actions include:
- Increasing the supply and availability of medical cannabis: The government should ensure that there is enough domestic production or importation of medical cannabis to meet the demand and that there are enough licensed and regulated dispensaries or pharmacies to distribute it. The government should also allow patients to grow their own cannabis plants or to access cannabis products from other countries if they cannot find them locally.
- Reducing the cost and improving the affordability of medical cannabis: The government should subsidize the cost of medical cannabis for patients who need it or cover it under their health insurance schemes. The government should also reduce the taxes and fees imposed on medical cannabis or offer incentives or discounts for patients who use it. The government should also encourage the development and innovation of more diverse and cheaper cannabis products, such as edibles, topicals, or sprays.
- Relaxing the regulations and expanding the eligibility of medical cannabis: The government should allow more patients to use medical cannabis based on their medical needs and preferences rather than on a limited list of conditions or symptoms. The government should also allow more doctors to prescribe medical cannabis and more forms and methods of administration, such as smoking, vaping, or dabbing. The government should also simplify the process and paperwork for obtaining a medical cannabis card or prescription and make it more accessible and convenient.
- Reducing the stigma and increasing education about medical cannabis: society should respect and support the rights and choices of medical cannabis patients and treat them with dignity and compassion. Society should also educate themselves and others about the benefits and risks of medical cannabis and the differences between medical and recreational use. Society should also listen to and learn from the experiences and stories of medical cannabis patients and advocate for their needs and interests.
Medical cannabis is a valuable and viable treatment option for many patients, but it is not without its challenges and risks. By addressing the issues of supply, cost, regulation, and stigma, the government and society can help medical cannabis patients access their medicine safely and legally and improve their quality of life.