Patients have achieved recognition of the medical benefits of cannabis. This is a milestone. Medical professionals now need to engage with the topic. Cannabis is a therapeutic option – just like any other medication. This is what those affected demanded and achieved. Unfortunately, in practice, nothing has changed. While some new cannabis products and cannabis flowers – including some from Swiss producers – are now available, prices remain high, and medical professionals are often uninformed. It's difficult to find a doctor willing to prescribe it, and even in many pharmacies, there's still a lack of knowledge. Experience is limited, which is why many professionals remain skeptical. Therefore, training and more scientific evidence are urgently needed.
Many challenges and high costs
Besides the difficulties with obtaining prescriptions, cost is also a problem. Cannabis is often only covered by health insurance if you have supplemental coverage. Many sick people are unable to pay for their medication themselves. Therefore, it is important that health insurance companies and other insurers recognize the benefits of cannabis. In Switzerland, there are already over 100,000 people using it illegally for medicinal purposes – this is an estimate by the Federal Office of Public Health. Unfortunately, when the Narcotics Act was amended, no consideration was given to how these people could be transitioned to legal consumption. As long as prices exceed those on the black market, many will not be able to obtain a legal prescription for cannabis. For some, only growing their own is financially feasible. Currently, cannabis is being treated as an expensive medication. This should not be allowed to continue. MEDCAN is fighting against a two-tier healthcare system.
Reorientation of the Association s
Since its founding, MEDCAN's primary demand has been the legalization of cannabis for medical use. This has now been achieved. Therefore, we have reoriented ourselves in recent weeks. The Association is no longer in the "opposition" but wants to actively contribute to the sensible implementation of the legal changes. We observe that abroad, although new laws are passed, patients still don't have legal access to them. MEDCAN wants to prevent this from happening in Switzerland. That's why we are focusing on collaboration with medical professionals, professional associations, policymakers, and industry. We share our experience and advocate for the interests of those affected. Our vision is to build a stable organization that champions cannabis in medicine in a way that truly benefits patients. We see ourselves as the voice of the more than 100,000 people who already use cannabis for medical purposes.
Obtaining a prescription requires personal initiative
Currently, patients still face a significant hurdle to obtain a prescription. At the last online patient meeting, five people shared their stories. Only one, after initial difficulties, received a prescription for cannabis extract, which is covered by health insurance. The other four individuals, who wanted a prescription for cannabis flowers, have not yet been successful and are still waiting. We will continue to report on their progress. Even after finally receiving a prescription, many discover they cannot afford the cannabis medication. This leads them to take less and supplement their treatment with illegal cannabis. This is not how the amendment to the Narcotics Act was intended.
Find out more
This is currently the only recommendation MEDCAN can offer. Inform yourself about prices and products so that you can find the best solution for yourself in consultation with your doctor. The best way to do this right now is by exchanging information with other affected individuals and reading their experiences. For example, at one of our MEDCAN meetings or on our new information exchange platform on Telegram. This allows us to gather rapidly changing information and make it available to everyone. Join the group, exchange information with others, and help us compile relevant information.
Health insurance companies and other insurance providers
Gather information and compelling arguments to approach your health insurance provider if you have success with cannabis and would like coverage. Those affected can improve their quality of life and deserve financial support. MEDCAN understands the importance of acceptance by health insurance companies. This persuasion is a top priority for the Association. However, it's a Herculean task. It will take time for cannabis to gain acceptance in medicine. But we are not idle. Efforts are underway to build a database and collect scientific evidence. Patients' experiences will be documented so that we can approach health insurance companies with a wealth of arguments in the future. We are particularly pleased that MEDCAN is participating in this project. Our experience will be invaluable to medical professionals.
Cannabis therapy for the chronically ill: a blessing
Nevertheless, it's important to say that cannabis is not a miracle cure. However, it is a remedy that has been used for millennia. It helps combat the symptoms of many illnesses without poisoning the body. It is anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, aids sleep, supports focus, and uplifts the spirit—and that's not all. Therefore, it's worth trying cannabis as medicine for many ailments. Talk to your doctor about it. As president of MEDCAN, I can only share the promising feedback from our members. Many have been able to alleviate their symptoms and positively improve their quality of life. is Association so committed to ensuring that cannabis is legally permitted for medicinal use.
If this issue is important to you, become a member or support us with a donation. Our goal is for everyone to be able to use cannabis as medicine and for the costs to be covered by health insurance.
