For this reason, MEDCAN was founded on December 16, 2014 as a non-profit Association of those affected. The goal was and is to give this anonymous mass a face 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. From 2011 onwards, it was possible to apply for a special permit for a few approved cannabis medicines from the Federal Office of Public Health, but doctors shied away from the immense effort involved.
The Association was therefore: "All those affected should have unhindered access to the medical use of cannabis, in tested quality at affordable prices, and should be allowed to consume it without restrictions and without punishment."
A review of our work
The last 10 years have been characterized by intensive work and commitment. MEDCAN has achieved a lot together with the community and achieved 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 went public, openly supported the topic and brought it out of the taboo zone - instead of continuing to hide in illegality.
- Political pressure: Through our continuous educational work, we have stimulated 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 illustrate the urgency of the issue. https://medcan.ch/ueber-uns/unsere-histories?lang=de-DE
- Media presence : In the last ten years we have been featured on Swiss television five times and in newspapers and magazines several times. This allowed us to tell our stories and make the reality of those affected visible.
Progress and challenges
Today, 28 months after the change in the Narcotics Act (August 1, 2022) and a few years after the CBD boom, the environment has improved significantly. The destigmatization of cannabis has taken place in broader circles. Those affected can now obtain medical cannabis of tested quality through a doctor's prescription and take it without penalty.
However, there is still much work to be done: it remains difficult to find medical professionals to help prescribe cannabis. If health insurance companies do not support prescriptions and cover the costs, significant financial problems arise for many of those affected. In addition, the products available in pharmacies often sell out quickly. Nevertheless, there is a constant positive development and more and more people affected are benefiting from the change in the narcotics law.
Our website explains it
An important tool in our educational work is our four-language website. It remains one of the few contact points in Switzerland that offers comprehensive information on how to get a medical prescription for cannabis. The website serves as an aid for those affected who are looking for answers to questions about the medical effects, the legal framework and the prescription process.
The many inquiries that MEDCAN receives shows how urgently necessary this information offering is – both for patients and specialists.
MEDCAN's birthday wish
For the 10th birthday, the people of MEDCAN want one thing above all: that if you are medically dependent on cannabis, you will no longer be stigmatized. It should no longer be taboo to use a medication that helps - be it to relieve pain, sleep better or improve quality of life.
Our goal remains that everyone affected has access to the medical use of cannabis without any hurdles, that medical prescriptions are reimbursed by health insurance companies and that no one has to fear discrimination or legal uncertainties anymore - 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 last 10 years. MEDCAN was created by those affected for those affected, supported by tireless, voluntary work and a deep understanding of the importance of support and recognition.
It was never easy - but we showed faces, told stories and gave countless people a voice.
We will continue to fight - for acceptance, for justice and for cannabis to finally get the normality it deserves in medicine.
