New platform to decriminalize medicinal cannabis
On September 20th, the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis (OECM) was presented, a platform that works for the decriminalization of cannabis for therapeutic use, disseminating information, scientific studies and possible uses of cannabis.
This platform is comprised of researchers, doctors, and medical cannabis users, and estimates that several thousand people, including children, use it to treat various ailments. The OECM recommends against smoking, advocating instead for oils or inhalation with vaporizers.
They are also convinced that, sooner or later, legalization will come to Spain, as it has already happened in many other countries. The president of the Observatory, Carlota Pérez, states that medicinal cannabis “has gained momentum that is irreversible” and that legalization “is sure to happen” within two to five years. Among the countries where medicinal cannabis is approved are the US, Canada, Israel, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Finland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, while others such as Switzerland, Poland, Croatia, and Australia have it on their agenda.
According to some researchers, cannabis is the most potent anti-inflammatory agent available. It has antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and antiemetic effects, and helps protect the nervous system. For this reason, it is used by various patients with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, cancer, or fibromyalgia. However, one of the biggest problems they face is the uncertainty surrounding its use, as it is not legal and they do not know the exact composition of the cannabis (CBD, THC, etc.).
This is what has been happening to the president of the OECM for several years. “We operate on a trial-and-error basis. I’ve spent several years testing oils, mixing them…,” says Pérez. If she wanted to use Sativex, she would have to pay 510 euros every 15 days. Unaffordable for her.
OECM Portal: http://oedcm.com/http://oedcm.com/
Fountain: El Diario.es