The IACM Patient Council operates under the auspices of the International Association of Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM). This close and professional collaboration helps to strengthen the credibility of the Association . Only national patient organizations are eligible for membership in the Patient Council; individuals are not accepted. Each organization is represented by one member who acts as a liaison, informing them about current developments, activities, and concerns within their country.
MEDCAN is represented in Switzerland by our Vice President, Simón Winistörfer. He regularly attends meetings, participates in discussions, and provides information about the problems and interests of those affected in Switzerland. You can find more information about the country representatives here.
The participants are of a very high caliber. Some regularly speak on the topic of cannabis at conferences and have been advocating for patients on the international stage for years. For example, Carola Perez – head of two Spanish patient organizations – was given the opportunity to address the UN in early March and present the interests and problems of international cannabis patients. This is a milestone! MEDCAN thanks Carola for her tireless work.
Now, global cooperation is needed
It is hoped that enough members in individual countries will be encouraged to actively participate in working groups and build an international coalition for cannabis patients. Establishing a functioning lobby group would be so important. However, it is a very ambitious undertaking. The IACM Patient Council aims to create equal access to cannabis and cannabinoids for medical treatment for everyone worldwide – regardless of where they live or their financial status. No one should be left behind. This is the core principle of the Patient Council's manifesto. And, like MEDCAN, it demands the right to cultivate one's own medicine. This point is non-negotiable. You can find the full IACM Patient Council manifesto here.
Goal – worldwide access to cannabis as medicine
The IACM Patient Council faces a monumental task. The activists in various countries are often themselves affected and, in addition to their national political activism, also fight the daily battle for access to their medication and against its illegality. They are often seriously ill themselves and need all their energy for this fight. It is therefore all the more important that stable organizations with paid positions are now established worldwide to take on this fight. This requires funding and members in national organizations around the globe. In Switzerland, it is estimated that over 100,000 sick people already use cannabis. As Association , we are a strong voice and could exert influence in the future.
This summer, the medical use of cannabis is set to become easier
MEDCAN is therefore currently focusing primarily on Switzerland. Our members are collaborating on various projects and striving to represent patients' interests at all levels. It's still possible to influence the implementation of the Narcotics Act. Furthermore, there are exciting visions for the future, such as how scientific evidence can be gathered to pave the way for cannabis in medicine. These projects are groundbreaking and entirely in line with our goals. However, even the Association is not yet large enough. Our capacity is limited. We are therefore all the more grateful for new members and donations to ensure we remain effective in the future.
