These “fake cannabis flowers” are now common on the black market. Several sick people have mistakenly purchased such products to treat themselves and told us about their bad experiences. Users from the cannabis community also warn against manipulated cannabis products - which look like hashish or grass - but otherwise have nothing to do with cannabis.
These products are very dangerous. The effects on the body can be life-threatening, especially for sick people. The synthetic drugs often have an extremely intoxicating effect. This is particularly fatal with fragile health. These added substances have serious health side effects. They can trigger, among other things, panic attacks or seizures. Consumption can lead to unconsciousness or total blackouts.
The authorities also issue urgent warnings
On drug information sites such as “Eve and Rave”, the warnings no longer only include pills and powders but also a large number of cannabis-like substances. These are marked “Red” and “Warning”. The fact that this situation exists today is due to decades of cannabis prohibition and failed drug policy. The black market, which has dried up due to the corona pandemic, and the Swiss legal situation are ideal for this new method, as CBD flowers are legal and so are new synthetic drugs until they are banned. There is an urgent need for sensible cannabis regulation to prevent the practice of manipulation. Most consumers don’t want these products.
Here you will find information on where you can have your cannabis products tested if you are unsure.
Lack of cannabis regulation encourages dangerous drugs
What's bad is that young users are getting to know these synthetic drugs. Some people are now specifically looking for this kick and are turning away from THC-containing cannabis. These products are much more dangerous. They are highly addictive and can cause serious long-term damage. Every politician who is against the regulation of cannabis accepts deaths, encourages the emergence of new trendy drugs and prevents the protection of minors.
Illegal self-construction is the only safe solution
The situation is extremely difficult for cannabis patients at the moment. The demand for cannabis is greater than the supply. This not only affects the price but also the quality. If you don't know your sources, you have to be very careful. For this reason, many sufferers grow their cannabis medicines themselves. Even though you are committing a crime and can get into big problems, they accept the risk. At the moment it is the only way to be sure that the quality of the medicine is right.
How should I behave as a patient?
The situation will not change anytime soon. The pandemic will continue to impact supply and demand. This June, the Federal Council changed the Narcotics Act. In the future, it will be possible to have a doctor prescribe you cannabis. But it will definitely take another two years until implementation. This is very frustrating, but until then, sick people will have to help themselves if they want to use cannabis medicinally.
It is not yet known which cannabis medications will come onto the market and how expensive they will be. It is not certain whether doctors are more willing to prescribe cannabis. The specialist knowledge does not suddenly appear. It is also not clear whether health insurance companies have to cover the costs and, if so, for which diagnosis. MEDCAN still has many unanswered questions about the new law.
MEDCAN continues to work tirelessly
More and more cannabis patients are turning to the Association , telling their stories and becoming members. This motivates us to continue fighting and educating people every day. But official bodies, medical professionals, other patient association , the media and politicians have also become aware of us and are informing themselves about the medicinal plant. The interest is great. The cannabis patients are now perceived together as an Association . In addition, MEDCAN is asked by the Federal Office of Public Health to provide a statement in all political processes regarding the new medical cannabis law. This is very pleasing.
Our voice is finally heard. Only time will tell whether our experiences and advice are taken into account and implemented.
