For this reason, MEDCAN was founded on December 16, 2014, as a non-profit Association by those affected. The goal was, and remains, to give a face to this anonymous mass and to sustainably improve their situation. At that time, however, the environment was harsh: those affected operated illegally and were dependent on the black market. Although a special permit for a few approved cannabis-based medicines could be applied for at the Federal Office of Public Health from 2011 onwards, doctors shied away from the immense effort involved.
The Association was therefore: "All those affected should have unimpeded access to the medical use of cannabis in tested quality at affordable prices and should be allowed to consume it without restriction and without penalty."
A look back at our work
The last 10 years have been characterized by intensive work and dedication. MEDCAN, together with the community, has achieved a great deal and accomplished a lot:
- Patient meetings : We have organized meetings in various cities to offer those affected a space for exchange and support.
- Public relations: We actively engaged with the public, openly championed the issue, and brought it out of the taboo zone – instead of continuing to hide in illegality.
- Political pressure: Through our continuous educational work, we have initiated political discussion and thus been able to bring about changes in legislation.
- Community building: We have built a strong network that inspires and empowers those affected.
- Visibility: We told our stories and showed our faces to highlight the urgency of the issue. https://medcan.ch/ueber-uns/unsere-geschichten?lang=de-DE
- Media presence : Over the past ten years, we have been featured five times on Swiss television and several times in newspapers and magazines. This has allowed us to tell our stories and make the reality of those affected visible.
Progress and challenges
Today, 28 months after the amendment to the Narcotics Act (August 1, 2022) and several years after the CBD boom, the situation has improved significantly. The destigmatization of cannabis has taken place in broader circles. Those affected can now obtain medically tested cannabis of verified quality through a doctor's prescription and use it without penalty.
Nevertheless, much remains to be done: It is still difficult to find medical professionals who can assist with prescribing cannabis. If health insurance companies do not support the prescription and cover the costs, many affected individuals face significant financial difficulties. Furthermore, available products in pharmacies often sell out quickly. Despite this, there is a steady positive trend, and more and more people are benefiting from the changes to the Narcotics Act.
Our website provides information
An important tool in our educational work is our multilingual website. It remains one of the few resources in Switzerland offering comprehensive information on how to obtain a medical cannabis prescription. The website serves as a resource for those seeking answers to questions about the medical effects, legal framework, and the prescription process.
The many inquiries that MEDCAN receives show how urgently this information service is needed – both for patients and for professionals.
MEDCAN's birthday wish
For their 10th anniversary, the people at MEDCAN have one main wish: that people who rely on cannabis for medical purposes will no longer be stigmatized. It should no longer be taboo to use a medication that helps – whether to relieve pain, sleep better, or improve quality of life.
Our goal remains that all those affected have unimpeded access to the medical use of cannabis, that medical prescriptions are reimbursed by health insurance companies, and that no one has to fear discrimination or legal uncertainties – be it in everyday life, in road traffic, or in social security law.
We are very proud of what we have achieved together over the past 10 years. MEDCAN was founded by people affected by cancer for people affected by cancer, driven by tireless, voluntary work and a deep understanding of how important support and recognition are.
It was never easy – but we showed faces, told stories and gave a voice to countless people.
We will continue to fight – for acceptance, for justice, and for cannabis in medicine to finally achieve the normality it deserves.
