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Our board

The MEDCAN Association is committed to greater humanity in medicine. We strive for understanding for patients and advocate for greater public awareness of the medical use of cannabis. Our mission is to overcome the existing stigma surrounding cannabis and improve patient care. Become part of our community!

Franziska Quadri is our Association president. Since a paragliding accident in 2009, she has been a quadriplegic and suffers daily from severe pain and spastic cramps. She actively campaigns for the legalization of medical cannabis – her preferred pain reliever. Franziska previously treated herself illegally because she couldn't afford legal cannabis medications. With the 2022 amendment to the Narcotics Act, she now hopes to be able to obtain her medication legally from a pharmacy. She spends her winters in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. There, Franziska has the opportunity to buy her cannabis medication at a legal social club. She has used this option for years to avoid the illegality of obtaining it in Switzerland. Franziska previously worked as a graphic designer and now uses her skills to develop the Association 's website, graphic design, media work, and social media presence. It helps to raise awareness of the Association 's mission, including through visual means.
Simón Winistörfer, our Vice President, has been living with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) since 2011. His journey began with an aggressive course, which he is currently able to control with immunotherapy. Despite controlling the MS, the side effects remain a challenge. Simón manages these with cannabis. He currently has a doctor's prescription and can obtain cannabis flowers from the pharmacy. Unfortunately, the costs are not yet covered by his health insurance, as coverage was denied due to his low level of spasticity. His personal story and his active advocacy for legalization make Simón a strong voice within the Association . Among other things, he is responsible for social media activities. His work at the international level as MEDCAN's representative on the IACM Patient Council also makes him a driving force in the pursuit of change on a global scale regarding the medical use of cannabis.

Fortunat Heuss is also a founding member. He played a crucial role, along with Felix and Bruno, in establishing the Association . Sadly, Bruno passed away in 2015. For decades, Fortunat has been closely connected to the cannabis community and has always followed its development closely. Fortunat is an experienced voice and has been advocating for cannabis patients for many years. He possesses valuable knowledge about the bureaucratic landscape. He readily uses his network to represent the interests of the Association . Fortunat's experience and dedication make him an important figure within the Association . Fortunately, he is not a patient himself. However, he says he uses cannabis preventively to maintain his health. In recent years, Fortunat has spent a lot of time in Morocco, where he has started a new family. Despite the distance, he remains loyal to the Association . 

Lara Jegge has been a member of the board since 2023. She has quickly become a valuable asset. As a long-time supporter of our Association and a good friend of Simon, she brings a dedicated attitude and understanding for the patients. For the past two years, Lara has provided invaluable assistance with the administration of our Association 's affairs. Her organizational talent makes her a vital support. Lara uses cannabis recreationally. She does not have a specific medical diagnosis. To ensure she has access to legal cannabis, Lara has been a member of a pilot project in Zurich since last year. These projects are investigating how Recreational Consumption could work in Switzerland. Lara uses cannabis for enjoyment, but it also has a medicinal purpose. She uses it to focus, calm down, and relax. Her personal experience underscores the diversity of reasons why people use cannabis. Lara's contribution is invaluable, and her skills are crucial for the smooth operation of the Association .