MEDCAN calls for increased medical support when prescribing cannabis
MEDCAN, the Medical Cannabis Association Switzerland, is still pleased a year later about the change in the law from August 1, 2022, which enables the uncomplicated medical prescription of cannabis. This change opens up new opportunities for over 100,000 patients who already use it medically and want safe access to it. Medical use can have a positive impact on the lives of many chronically ill people. MEDCAN is committed to these patients and supports cannabis as an effective therapy option. However, there are still challenges these patients face.
MEDCAN therefore calls on medical professionals to support the prescription and to take the experiences and needs of the affected patients seriously. Cannabis can offer an effective alternative to conventional medications for a variety of illnesses and complaints. Compared to conventional
Medicines usually have fewer side effects and do not negatively affect the body. It has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years and has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, sleep-inducing and mood-enhancing properties. Numerous studies prove its medical effects. Therefore, it is incomprehensible that it is not yet widespread in medicine.
Unfortunately, many doctors do not have sufficient experience. The affected patients are often better informed than their medical professionals, which leads to difficult situations. In addition, health insurance companies often fail to cover the costs. It is therefore urgently necessary for doctors and medical institutions to increase their support in this area in order to finally give patients access.
MEDCAN also calls for the use of medication to be included in medical training. Despite decades of illegality, numerous studies have proven its medical benefits. It is now time for these findings to be put into practice and for medical professionals to receive comprehensive training. MEDCAN calls on all relevant actors to address the issue. The Association has extensive know-how and is happy to share it.
Franziska Quadri, President of MEDCAN, emphasizes: “The change in the law gives chronically ill people the opportunity to improve their quality of life. We call for increased education and support from the medical community to finally make cannabis more accessible in medicine.”
In addition, Medcan emphasizes the need to review cannabis classification as an anesthetic into the level of opiates. It is not effective to equate it with them, since the effects and risks are significantly lower. Rather, the focus should be on considering the Recreational Consumption and considering regulation as a luxury food, similar to countries such as Canada, Uruguay and numerous states in the USA. In Germany, too, it is taken from the Narcotics Act and regulated again. A comprehensive regulation can bring both social and economic advantages by ensuring the protection of young people and enables consumers: in the inside with safe access to high -quality and secure products.
MEDCAN calls for urgent measures to regulate home cultivation of cannabis to help patients who do not receive support and cannot afford the medication. Such regulation would at least give them the opportunity to ensure their own supply. No one should be criminalized for seeking pain relief.
It is time to take a balanced approach that takes into account the latest science on cannabis and puts the needs of the population first. MEDCAN calls for political steps towards sensible regulation of cannabis.
About MEDCAN:
MEDCAN is a patient organization that has been promoting the medical use of cannabis for almost ten years. The Association is committed to better care and information for patients and promotes exchange between those affected. Cannabis is a blessing for chronically ill people and can improve the quality of life. Compared to addictive opiates and benzodiazepines, it offers numerous advantages as a medication. Increased information and training can help ensure that chronically ill people have an alternative to conventional medications.
