A patient's voice for Ticino
Since March 2026, CanMed Ticino has had its own patient organization in Ticino. The Association aims to connect and support Italian-speaking patients and show them that they are not alone in their situation.
Especially in Ticino, attitudes towards cannabis remain very conservative. Many people are still unaware that cannabis can be prescribed for medical purposes in Switzerland. At the same time, those affected continue to struggle with the stigma of drug addiction and are often afraid to speak openly about their treatment.
This problem exists throughout Switzerland, but it is particularly pronounced in Ticino. This makes the creation of CanMed Ticino, a patient organization that gives a voice to those affected and increases their visibility, all the more courageous and important.
Founded by those affected
CanMed Ticino was founded by Gennaro Ausellio and his husband Emanuelle. Both are patients themselves and know the problems firsthand. They treat themselves with cannabis, have a prescription, struggle with health insurance companies, and know exactly what it means to live with chronic symptoms and uncertainty every day. From these experiences arose the desire to help other affected individuals and give them a voice. The Association aims to bring people together, connect them, and show them: no one is alone in this situation.
Support, exchange and guidance
CanMed Ticino aims to create a space where those affected can meet, exchange information, and support each other. At the same time, it seeks to foster contact with medical professionals who are open to cannabis therapies and wish to support patients in Ticino.
The Association helps those affected understand how to obtain a prescription and which medical professionals or specialized pharmacies can provide further assistance. It is particularly important for Italian-speaking cannabis patients to receive information in their own language and to be able to exchange experiences with others affected by the same condition.
The CanMed Ticino website already contains a wealth of information about cannabis in medicine, the Association , as well as recent media reports and newspaper articles. There, those affected can learn more about the Association's work and find important contacts and information.
All information is now also available in Italian on the MEDCAN website – including the map with medical professionals and specialized pharmacies in Switzerland.
Common goals
CanMed Ticino and MEDCAN are in contact. We are very pleased to be able to print a flyer to support the new Association . Together, the two patient organizations aim to raise awareness of the issue and improve the situation for those affected in the long term.
MEDCAN is particularly pleased that the Italian-speaking voices in Switzerland are now becoming more visible and that more and more patients are daring to speak openly about their experiences.
