Medicinal Cannabis has long been a taboo subject even though some of its benefits have been known and proven scientifically for quite a few years. Many were afraid to discuss this topic in the highest institutions and so it was very encouraging to see that the Med-Tech World Summit which was held in Malta between the 17th and 20th November had specific sessions discussing these products.
I was honoured to have been invited to speak at this summit, to address Europe's vision for Medicinal Cannabis. The fact that we are discussing a subject which we have shied away from for many years on both a local level and a European level is already a positive if a small step forward. When we debate such topics, our aim is to make sure that those patients who require the use of medicinal cannabis get the treatment they require. These individuals are going through a difficult period in their lives, and we must not let a lack of framework make their situations even harder.
The therapeutic properties of medicinal cannabis are increasingly being acknowledged by scientific evidence, as well as patients' experience, which show that medicinal cannabis is effective in the treatment of several diseases and conditions including fibromyalgia and can also be used as treatments of certain ailments, including cancer.
However, the regulatory framework on medicinal cannabis remains fragmented across the European Union. As a result, patients cannot benefit from fair access to safe, high-quality cannabis-based medication; pan-European research remains largely underfunded and the medicinal cannabis industry is not put in the conditions to develop smoothly across the EU.
As it stands, global cannabis exporters cannot tap into a common regulatory pathway as European countries have different legal frameworks for medicinal cannabis. Some countries, including the UK and Portugal, have well-established legislation while in other countries including Sweden and Belgium, medical cannabis is strictly prohibited.
The fragmented reality within the European Union is contributing to creating discrimination and access-barriers to enjoy one of the basic human rights: the right to health. Having a harmonised approach across all Member States on the standards of medicinal cannabis products and of the national law frameworks should be a priority. Such an approach to a legalised and regulated medicinal cannabis market will improve patients' fair access to cannabis-based medicines. The regulation of cannabis-based medicines would also translate into limiting the black market and minors' access to this substance.
Another issue is the fact that in some countries the criminalisation of patients is still present. It is also very worrying that different interpretations about the benefits of medicinal cannabis disallow some groups from applying. It is also sad to learn that medicinal cannabis patients have been threatened with jail terms or fined for travelling with their medicinal cannabis. This is unacceptable.
It was with this reason in mind that in March 2021, a cross-party interest group was founded in the European Parliament by a group of MEPs including myself to promote the interests of patients towards European policymakers and society at large, and also promote a joint policy effort to ensure patients' fair access to medicinal cannabis.
The interest group gathers MEPs from different countries and political groups, and it will pursue its goal by addressing the elements that give rise to the current hurdles experienced by patients. In the medium-term, the interest group will focus on a number of core aspects before progressing to other more specific priorities.
Firstly, we must make sure that a set of harmonised definitions are created in the field of medicinal cannabis. The interest group will aim to encourage discussions between EU policymakers and patients as well as the scientific and medical communities. The interest group will provide a channel for such stakeholders to exchange views, contributing to patient-centred policymaking.
This is a vision shared by the European Parliament, who in February 2019 adopted a resolution on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. In the resolution, the EU Parliament is asking for a legal definition of medical cannabis in order to clearly distinguish it from other uses. Following the resolution of the European Parliament, we must also see an increase in the allocation of EU funds on medicinal cannabis research. The current EU-funded programmes, such as Horizon Europe and the EU4Health Programme already provides opportunities to promote research on medicinal cannabis but more research of the highest quality is always required.
It is also crucial that we promote a stigma-free narrative on medicinal cannabis. We need to have a positive discourse around such products, and we must shed light on the many misconceptions that still exist. We need to ensure that no medicinal cannabis patient feels discriminated and thus afraid to access such products. This narrative must also be applied to doctors, ensuring that they are allowed to use their professional judgement in prescribing cannabis-based medicines.
We must strive to ensure the availability of products which have different THC: CBD ratios, thus better matching the needs of the patient. At the same time, a flexible approach must exist from where to obtain medicinal cannabis, to ensure that the medicine is not out of stock. Patients must also feel free to travel across the EU without fear of being arrested or having their medicine confiscated.
It is also important that accessibility and affordability are ensured through a system which facilitates the application process and stabilises prices while also introducing the possibility for medicinal cannabis patients to purchase medicinal cannabis directly from companies manufacturing cannabis oil.
As more people are realising the benefits that medicinal cannabis can bring to patients, it should not be regulations that stops these individuals from getting the help they require. There is much that still needs to be done but positive steps forward have been made with the aim of offering a much better service to those patients who need this type of medication. We must all play our part and be the voice for these patients who want nothing more than what they are owed with their basic human rights.
Alex Agius Saliba is a member of the European Parliament
W: alexagiussaliba.com
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