Germany regulates medical marijuana for seriously ill patients
The German Cabinet approves a bill that will allow doctors to prescribe medicinal marijuana and cannabis extract.
This project is intended for seriously ill patients with no therapeutic alternative and will finance treatments with public money.
Hermann Gröhe, the health minister, declared, “Our goal is for seriously ill patients to receive the best possible care.”.
Until now, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) had granted specific authorization to 650 German patients to purchase medicinal marijuana; this authorization will no longer be mandatory, and a medical prescription will be sufficient.
Under this new law, health insurance companies will cover the cost of cannabis treatments, which until now have been borne by the patients. According to the bill, the cost of monthly treatments ranges from €540 to €1,800.
According to the Ministry of Health, quality controls and scientific studies on the therapeutic benefits of medicinal marijuana treatments will be carried out, in which patients will participate.
Marlene Mortler, the government's drug commissioner, stated that it is not a harmless substance and ruled out legalization for recreational use.
“We are harnessing the potential without jeopardizing the health of citizens. This is a modern pharmacy and health policy,” he stated.
Fountain: The World