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"Learn how cannabis medically and how you can obtain it legally."
Franziska Quadri, President of MEDCAN
As an Association dedicated to the medical use of cannabis, we at MEDCAN are proud to represent a diverse community of people who use cannabis for therapy. Our commitment encompasses information, networking, and advocacy to ensure that patients have the urgently needed access to medical cannabis.
People are our focus
MEDCAN was founded in Zurich in 2014 by Bruno Hiltebrand († 2015) and a dedicated group of his friends. Our goal is to put people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes at the heart of our mission. Our diverse community spans all age groups and social classes – from children with disabilities suffering from pain and spasticity to retirees who successfully treat age-related ailments with cannabis.
The medical benefits of cannabis are important to us
Our approach encompasses both patients who use cannabis as their sole form of therapy and those who use it in combination with conventional pharmaceutical methods. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive community for people who rely on the therapeutic properties of cannabis. Our activities focus on promoting research and education to enable the informed and responsible use of cannabis in medicine and to end the stigma surrounding it.
We provide information about prescription options and facilitate the exchange of experiences
Since the amendment to the Narcotics Act on August 1, 2022, any physician can prescribe cannabis for medical purposes. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to find information about prescribing and medical professionals. As Association by and for people, we have created a platform on our website for exchanging experiences, providing resources, and sharing information. Our focus is on improving access to the medical use of cannabis and enhancing the quality of life for our members. At MEDCAN, we are actively committed to a comprehensive understanding of the medical use of cannabis, promoting solidarity, knowledge transfer, and open dialogue about the various aspects of cannabis medicine. We stand for community, education, and support our members on their journey toward a holistic approach to cannabis medicine.
The MEDCAN Association emphasizes the importance of close collaboration among all stakeholders in the medical use of cannabis. The patient is always at the center of this approach. Effective cooperation between medical professionals, industry, research institutions, health insurance companies, and other insurers is essential. Open communication with patients ensures their access to cannabis-based medications. MEDCAN facilitates this access.
Our mission is to ensure safe and affordable access to cannabis for everyone, ensuring that financial hardship doesn't exclude anyone from the benefits of medical cannabis. We aim to prevent discrimination based on financial barriers. We advocate for reasonable pricing of cannabis medications to reduce the black market. If costs aren't reimbursed, we believe it's crucial to provide alternative pathways so patients can grow their own medication and help themselves. We will continue to fight for this at the political level.
MEDCAN is committed to providing safe and affordable access for all, ensuring that financial resources do not exclude anyone from the benefits of medical cannabis use.