First Medical Cannabis Prescription Issued In Greece
Greece was one of the first European nations to reschedule medical cannabis back in 2017. The goal of rescheduling was to allow suffering patients to safely access medical cannabis products via a prescription.
However, it was not until recent days that Greece issued its first medical cannabis prescription. Anesthetists, neurologists, and pathologists specializing in cancer, infections, and rheumatism are permitted to prescribe medical cannabis.
Medical cannabis can be prescribed for nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combination therapy against HIV or hepatitis C, as well as chronic pain, spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries, and as an appetite suppressant in palliative care.
“What can I say about this day? A very big thank you, relief, vindication, freedom to live. I was among the first to get the prescription via the electronic prescription system and I didn’t expect it, I couldn’t believe it. I burst into tears…an end to the risks and fear.” stated Anna Panga, Greece’s first patient to receive a medical cannabis prescription.
European Union agreements permit member nations to allow medical cannabis sales. Unfortunately, that was not the case for many years and Europe’s medical cannabis industry is still young by many measures. With the rise of adult-use cannabis reform, Europe’s medical cannabis industry landscape will continue to evolve.
Adult-use reform is gaining momentum in Europe after the recent successful vote in Germany’s Bundestag, and while adult-use legalization is likely far off from happening in Greece, the timeline for such reform occurring may be shorter now thanks to the historic vote in Germany and the ‘butterfly effect’ it provides all European countries.
In the meantime, Greece’s medical cannabis industry will continue to expand, albeit slowly. Many suffering patients in Greece are still left on the outside looking in. Greece’s list of qualifying conditions is limited, and that, in turn, will continue to limit Greece’s medical cannabis industry’s potential.
