Back to life
Emanuele knows what it's like when life spirals out of control. He used cocaine for a long time. But those days are long gone. His success in breaking free from addiction is also thanks to cannabis.
About ten years ago, the man from Ticino suffered a burnout while working as a service employee in Zurich. His long-term partner, whom he is now married to, supported him. But things got worse.
A suicide attempt was followed by depression. In 2019, Emanuele was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. He was prescribed psychiatric medication, but it offered little relief. "It was a rollercoaster," the now 40-year-old describes this period. He smoked cannabis to sleep better and stimulate his appetite. But the mood swings persisted: sometimes he was nervous, sometimes aggressive.
A new life in Ticino
In 2023, the couple moved to Ticino. In the Blenio Valley, they hoped for peace and a fresh start. But soon, another blow came: A neighbor reported them for alleged cannabis dealing. Their home was searched, and Emanuele and Gennaro handed over their cannabis to the police. To this day, they are still paying off a hefty fine: a total of 900 Swiss francs per person, in installments of 50 francs each. "Even now, we're afraid every time the doorbell rings," says Emanuele.
Then came the apparent salvation: In June 2025, Emanuele received approval for medical cannabis. This allowed him to bring his personality disorder under control. "Finally, I was stable—back to being the person my husband knew," says Emanuele. He was able to reduce his previous medication to a minimum, and the unwanted side effects disappeared. Life felt like living again.
Punch to the gut
But in December, this life comes to an abrupt end: The health insurance company stops paying for the cannabis from the pharmacy – a devastating blow for Emanuele. His stability crumbles, and he faces a crisis. His psychiatrist refers him to a clinic, but Emanuele refuses. He doesn't want to leave his husband alone, because he too is ill and needs support.
He tries the old-fashioned medications again: Wellbutrin, Brintallix, Truxal. But the depression persists, his mood swings up to 20 times a day. Aggression, restlessness, inner tension – it all returns. The medication side effects are also hard to bear: fatigue, listlessness, a life lived as if behind glass. "No pain, but also no life."
His doctor sends a detailed report to the health insurance company, but their response remains the same: cannabis is not on the list of recognized medications, and its effectiveness has not been proven.
Between fear and hope
Every now and then, Emanuele scrapes together his last bit of money to buy at least a few grams of medical cannabis. He can't afford more than that. He and his husband live on a small pension.
In Ticino, the issue is particularly difficult, says Emanuele. Medical cannabis is uncharted territory for many – and cannabis itself is extremely taboo. It's quickly associated with "bad people." He feels he receives little support from pharmacies or local authorities. Nevertheless, he isn't giving up. Together with his husband, he's committed to ensuring that stories like theirs are told: The couple founded CanMed Ticino. The media are showing interest, as is Pro Infirmis. They're experiencing a lot of positive feedback from other patients – but also fear. Fear of being labeled as junkies.
That's precisely why Emanuele wants to be visible. Because his story shows what's at stake when an effective medication suddenly becomes unavailable.
