Since August 2022, all Swiss doctors have had the authority to prescribe cannabis medicines. This change to the Narcotics Act has been hailed as a significant step towards improving access to cannabis medical treatment. However, the latest court decision shows that the practical implementation of this law still faces numerous obstacles.
The affected patient, a member of our Association , received a prescription for cannabis to treat his ADHD and improve his quality of life. Despite a legitimate doctor's prescription, his applications for financial assistance were rejected by both his health insurance and disability insurance. In a desperate attempt to pay for his medication, he turned to social welfare, which also refused to cover the costs, which has now been confirmed by the court.
Here you can find the newspaper article on the administrative court ruling.
Statement from the Medical Cannabis Association Switzerland:
“It is unacceptable that patients are forced to take highly addictive pharmaceuticals that endanger their health before they have access to a natural remedy. The current system encourages medically prescribed pharmaceutical addictions while attempting to combat street drug addiction. This contradiction needs to be addressed urgently.
Cannabis is a medicinal product with a centuries-old tradition. It has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, relaxing, anti-anxiety effects and can positively influence focus, mood and mental health. These diverse therapeutic uses make it a valuable addition to medicine. The benefits of cannabis, particularly for older people and those with chronic illnesses, are well documented scientifically. Many find relief from their symptoms and are able to reduce their dependence on other medications. Yet the medical community is reluctant to support this alternative treatment option.
The stigma surrounding the medical use of cannabis persists despite its proven benefits. This means that you still need a lot of initiative if you want to use it medically. Unfortunately, some patients continue to be forced to resort to the black market to obtain their medication, which poses legal and health risks. In addition, the financial burden of “medical cannabis” remains a significant hurdle for most, as so far only a few receive cost coverage from their health insurance companies.
The Association MEDCAN has been campaigning for the rights of cannabis patients for almost 10 years. We are committed to raising awareness, sharing our experiences, educating, and thereby driving policy changes that make cannabis a viable and accessible treatment option for all.
We call on you as media professionals to support our efforts and raise awareness about the false stigma surrounding medical cannabis use. The Federal Office of Public Health estimates that there are over 100,000 people in Switzerland who are already receiving illegal medical treatment. These patients finally want to find an affordable path to legality.
Cannabis in medicine has the potential to help many sick people. They expect medical professionals to familiarize themselves with the new options for prescribing cannabis and to be open to this form of therapy in order to ensure the best possible treatment.
Your membership or donation to the Association MEDCAN helps us to continue to draw attention to the difficulties faced by cannabis patients and to improve access to the medical use of cannabis.
