The Spanish government has ratified the 1961 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances and a 1971 UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs, but it lacks an industry lobby. A strong industry lobby would be crucial to advancing a sensible regulatory framework and ensuring patient access to cannabis-based products. Such a lobby would also auto sweet donkey increase public awareness of the industry among politicians, legislators, and key opinion leaders. Spain’s booming cannabis culture and enormous commercial potential, however, have made it difficult to push through any kind of regulatory framework. Currently, the countdown to Spain’s regulation of cannabis has begun.
The proposal aims to legalise medical cannabis in Spain, regulating it as a prescribed drug under the Spanish National Health System. Many experts believe that the model that works internationally involves private companies manufacturing the product and the state overseeing distribution. As a result, there shouldn’t be any exclusionary criteria. In fact, experts claim that the best-established medical cannabis models involve private companies manufacturing and distributing the product in a regulated environment.
As a first step, the subcommittee has been tasked with studying the experience of other countries with medical cannabis programmes, and consulting experts from both sectors to create a legal framework for the cannabis blog Spanish market. During its first meeting, the subcommittee will outline its work and possible speakers, both national and international. It is also expected to produce a report on cannabis therapeutic use.
AEMPS has published a list of licences granted to cannabis companies. In a recent survey, ninety-one percent of the population said medical cannabis should be legal, while 49.7% said recreational use should be legal. The commission is said to have cultivated an expert workforce, as well as developed a relevant network of stakeholders. Hemp-related companies are also making significant revenues in Spain.
In the interim, Catalonia’s legalization of cannabis in Barcelona focuses on ending the cannabis clubs that are a staple of the city. These clubs were initially founded as non-profit cooperatives for medical marijuana patients, but have since become popular tourist attractions and contributed to the illicit trade in cannabis. Once medical cannabis becomes legal in Spain, there will be no need for cannabis clubs. But if it is not legal, these cannabis clubs will continue to exist.
The grant of medical and research licences in Spain has increased in recent years. However, the AEMPS maintains its conservative approach to the process. This body’s regulations set out principles for granting licences and has its own procedures for assessing applications. It also takes into account the depth of requests for information. The aim is to ensure that a positive balance between benefit and risk exists.
Other EU countries have already legalised medical marijuana. The Czech Republic, France, and Romania have legalised cannabis. In addition to Spain, Sativex is already available in nine other EU countries. Although the laws in Europe are not as comprehensive as those in the USA, they do acknowledge the serious medical use of the drug. These laws should prevent a black market for cannabis. This is a positive development. The countdown to the regulation of medical cannabis in Spain has begun.
The Italian government has not obstructed the process of legalizing medical cannabis. In fact, it has been taking steps to safeguard the rights and safety of patients. Its laws stipulate that cannabis-based drugs should only be prescribed for patients when other medications are ineffective or insufficient. Patients’ health insurance or Regional Health System will cover the cost. And a pilot project has been started to grow the cannabis plants and manufacture them directly in the country.
Legalisation of cannabis could have significant implications for the medical cannabis industry across Europe. It could increase its social acceptance. Currently, there is still an uneasy relationship between the cannabis industry and the medical sector. As legalisation moves towards legalization, patients and doctors will move away from flower and toward extracts and pharmaceutical products that align with traditional medical practices. This could create a valuable industry for those looking to make a profit.