Take medical use of cannabis seriously, say MEPs


MEPs will debate ways to address research gaps on medical cannabis with the European Commission, and adopt a resolution on Wednesday.

MEPs will quiz the Commission on how the EU could support quality research on cannabis-based medicines and establish standards for non-pharmaceutical medical cannabis to ensure consumer safety.

The draft resolution stresses the need for the Commission and national authorities to draw a clear distinction between medical cannabis and other uses of cannabis. It calls on the Commission and member states to address regulatory barriers which burden scientific research and invites them to properly fund research and promote greater knowledge of medical cannabis among medical professionals.

Background

MEPs believe that there is substantial evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids have therapeutic effects for treating chronic pain in adults, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and improve muscle spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Whilst the WHO has officially recommended that the cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) should not be considered a controlled substance, legislation in member states differs widely on the subject of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

(Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agenda/briefing/2019-02-11/10/take-medical-use-of-cannabis-seriously-say-meps )