The law changed on August 1, 2022. Since then, those affected have been trying to find out how to get a prescription and legally obtain cannabis. MEDCAN receives weekly email inquiries from people wanting to know how to move beyond the illegal status of cannabis use. These are individuals who have been successfully using cannabis medicinally for a long time and know exactly what they need. Unfortunately, MEDCAN has not been able to help until now. It's difficult – firstly, because there are no doctors prescribing it, and secondly, because affordable cannabis medications and cannabis flowers have not been available. But this is finally changing. From now on, cannabis can be prescribed in various forms and obtained from pharmacies. This is currently only possible in a few locations, but that will change quickly. As soon as we have more details, MEDCAN will publish all relevant information on social media and in its newsletter.
First glimmer of hope at the December online patient meeting
In December, a member participated whose wife has been prescribed cannabis flowers by her doctor. She is the first Swiss patient known to MEDCAN to have been prescribed cannabis flowers for vaporization by her doctor. According to our member, he had to be persistent and help the doctor in every way possible, but in the end, they were successful. His wife now has a prescription and receives cannabis flowers from Medropharm, which are sold at the Dr. Noyer Pharmacy in Bern.
Several Swiss producers are launching cannabis flowers on the market
The MEDCAN Association has been in contact with various Swiss producers for some time – including Medropharm and Cymphonia – and knows that these two companies are poised to launch their licenses and bring cannabis flowers for medical prescription to the market. In mid-December, both producers issued press releases announcing their "cannabis flower medications." This is a milestone and is very welcome news for Swiss patients. The company Pure has also announced that it will offer flowers for medical prescription. Many things will change in 2023.
Swiss cannabis flowers for medical prescription
Currently, cannabis flowers in pharmacies are still imported from abroad, as both companies have confirmed. However, this will change quickly. According to their own statements, Medropharm has already started its own production, and Cymphonia will begin at the end of January. For cannabis patients, this means that they will be able to obtain domestically produced cannabis flowers from pharmacies as early as 2023. This is earlier than expected. The companies are wasting no time. Various Swiss cannabis strains should be available as extracts and flowers by 2023 – something those affected have long desired. This is a very welcome development. Germany has had a medical cannabis law since 2017, but so far only one German company produces medical cannabis flowers. The remaining products are imported. The German economy is not benefiting.
How do I get a recipe now?
A great deal of personal initiative is still required at the moment. If you are an experienced patient, try to find out which cannabis medications are available and which product might be effective for you. Talk to your pharmacist beforehand and learn about the cannabis medications and methods of administration. Then discuss cannabis therapy with your treating physicians. Both general practitioners and specialists are now authorized to prescribe cannabis and are responsible for selecting the method of administration and dosage. Explain to your medical contacts how you have used cannabis so far and how you would like to do so now with legal products. If you are not taken seriously, point out that cannabis can now be prescribed legally. With the amendment to the Narcotics Act, the government has confirmed its medical benefits. It is now up to doctors to pursue further training accordingly. Refer your doctor to the SGCM – Swiss Society for Cannabis in Medicine. Don't let them brush you off, even if you have no experience with cannabis. Insist on your right to try this "drug option".
And where can patients find information?
Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of information. Although the law changed on August 1st, training for doctors in this area is still lacking. We also know of pharmacists who would like to sell cannabis-based medications. However, there is also uncertainty about the procedures and prescription process. Often, the patient is the most experienced person, or they have to inform themselves and then explain things to the healthcare professionals. This needs to change. It is frowned upon when the treating physician knows more than the healthcare professionals. This creates potential for conflict and often makes access even more difficult for these individuals. The 100,000 people in Switzerland estimated by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) to already use cannabis illegally for medicinal purposes are precisely these experienced cannabis users. They are still perplexed and don't know how to obtain a prescription and thus legal access. This problem has not been considered. Comprehensive training for medical professionals is therefore crucial to simplify the prescribing process, but this will take time. Therefore, those affected must continue to unite, help each other, and advocate for the needs of cannabis patients. Otherwise, unfortunately, no one else will.
It is important that everyone continues to help
The ban on cannabis for medical use has now been lifted, and MEDCAN's position as a patient organization is changing. MEDCAN now sees its role as gathering information and disseminating it to those affected. We will list cannabis medications, pharmacies, and doctors who can help with prescribing cannabis medications and make this information available to patients. The more information we receive, the better. If you already have a prescription or plan to get one in the coming weeks, please let us know the following. This information will be of interest to other patients and can be helpful:
