Various interest groups, such as pharmacists, Swiss farmers, and CBD producers, are positioning themselves to profit from medicinal cannabis. Large international companies and the pharmaceutical industry also want a piece of this new market. A new multi-billion dollar market is emerging worldwide.
The Federal Office of Public Health estimates that up to 100,000 Swiss patients use cannabis for medicinal purposes despite the ban. The interest in our Association shows that a much larger target group exists. This trend is also evident in Germany. Interest in medicinal cannabis is considerably higher than expected. It is all the more regrettable, then, that Switzerland is falling behind internationally due to its slow political processes.
For these patients, cannabis is the medication of choice. They have consciously changed their therapy or combine it with conventional medical methods and medications. They are convinced of its effectiveness and consider the side effects to be milder and more tolerable than with many other medications. Many have been self-medicating for years, possess extensive knowledge about the application and production of their medication, and in some cases, have in-depth expertise.
In recent years, patients worldwide have connected via social media and shared their experiences. In Switzerland, there are patient support groups in various cities.
What cannabis patients fear from new medical regulations
Currently, cannabis is legalized for medical use in many countries. These cannabis medications are often sold in pharmacies. The handling involved in getting the product from the producer to the pharmacist increases the price compared to the black market. If health insurance companies do not cover the costs, patients cannot afford the medication even with a doctor's prescription.
Furthermore, the quality of cannabis flowers, for example in Germany, is sometimes abysmal. The German Hemp Association also criticizes the fact that since the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes, supply shortages of cannabis flowers have become the norm. Demand was completely misjudged, and only 3 to 6 of the 32 approved varieties are available. These supply shortages are causing significant disadvantages for patients. The example of Germany shows how difficult it is to establish a functioning medical distribution system and how important it is not to be dependent on producers from other countries.
Thanks to the CBD boom of a few years ago, Switzerland has a wealth of knowledge about cultivation and an already functioning production infrastructure. This advantage should not be relinquished. CBD producers could switch to medicinal cannabis virtually overnight.
Patients are viewing the Federal Office of Public Health's (FOPH) proposed solutions with mixed feelings. There are concerns that, as in other countries, pharmaceutical companies and large international cannabis corporations will be the primary beneficiaries, turning cannabis into an expensive medication. However, countries like Spain and Belgium have adopted alternative approaches. There, patients have the option of cultivating a certain number of plants themselves or joining Medical Cannabis Social Clubs (MCSCs). With an estimated 100,000 patients, some of whom possess in-depth knowledge and have been networked for years, this would be a sensible approach for Switzerland.
What cannabis patients need until new medical regulations are in place
The affected patients urgently need unbureaucratic access to medical cannabis until new medical regulations come into effect. The current regulations are impractical. Only a few thousand have a permit from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). All others are treating themselves illegally and committing a crime. MEDCAN demands immunity from prosecution for all Swiss patients.
According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), new regulations for the medical dispensing of cannabis will be open for public consultation in June 2019. It will certainly take more than two years before the situation for patients changes. Those affected have been waiting for a long time and can almost watch daily as the situation changes worldwide. They need a practical interim solution. Otherwise, patients will be forced to help themselves.
Home cultivation and permission to establish Medical Cannabis Social Clubs
Until new regulations governing the dispensing of medical cannabis are in place and the costs are covered by health insurance, those affected must be able to produce their medication as cheaply as possible. Cannabis products available from pharmacies with a prescription are far too expensive and can push patients to the brink of financial ruin. The only way for those affected to obtain affordable and clean cannabis medication is through home cultivation.
As a concrete model, the patients propose Medical Cannabis Social Clubs (MCSC).
- Any Swiss patient who is prescribed cannabis by a doctor can become a member
- The cultivation, harvesting and processing of cannabis into medicines is carried out by the Association .
- Cannabis is only distributed to members
- Each member receives the medically indicated amount for their own personal use
- Trading in cannabis or supplying it to third parties, especially minors, is illegal and will lead to exclusion
MEDCAN advocates and supports scientific monitoring of this Associationexperience for medical to gather
Patients' proposed solutions for dealing with medicinal cannabis
As can be seen in Germany, the demand for the medical use of cannabis is high. This demand will increase in the coming years. Switzerland should not limit itself to just one distribution channel. Doctors will be confronted with very different patient groups. Some already know exactly what they are doing, while others need more guidance.
On the one hand, we could envision specialized cannabis dispensaries, similar to today's CBD shops, where one can obtain medication with a doctor's prescription and proof of identity. However, this requires that the sales staff be authorized to provide information about the medical uses of cannabis. This could, of course, also be done by pharmacies. However, there is a legitimate risk that, as in Germany, costs will increase. In both cases, training for the sales staff is absolutely essential.
Since patients themselves possess a wealth of experience in the medical application of cannabis, our preferred solution is to permit home cultivation and the establishment of Medical Cannabis Social Clubs. Those affected can organize themselves into Association and cultivate and produce their own medication. This would be particularly beneficial for individuals who have been self-medicating for years. Their experiences should be scientifically documented, and we should learn from them. Failing to utilize this knowledge would be a grave mistake. Given that for many illnesses, only anecdotal evidence exists, rather than scientific studies, this is the fastest way to gain a better understanding of the medical effects of cannabis.
An important requirement for patients is that cannabis flowers are routinely tested in a laboratory for their constituents. They support the idea of a cannabis label to ensure that the raw material for medications is not contaminated with pesticides or heavy metals. This is particularly critical for sick people.
