EMCDDA publishes first report on the use of Medicinal Cannabis

The European Observatory on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which has its official headquarters in Lisbon, has just published its first report on Medicinal Cannabis. Here is the full text:

“What is the scientific basis for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes? What is the difference between cannabis preparations and medicines and why is it important? How is this issue regulated in the EU? These and other questions are explored in a new report published today by European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA): Medicinal use of cannabis and cannabinoids: questions and answers for policy making. The report responds to a growing interest in this subject, with an increasing number of European countries developing policies and practices in this field.

(4.12.2018 LISBON) According to the report, many EU countries currently authorize, or are considering authorizing, some form of use of cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes. However, approaches vary greatly between countries, both in terms of authorized products and the regulatory frameworks governing their availability. Understanding this variety of national approaches is important for an informed policy debate on this issue in the EU.

Figure 1: The different cannabis-based products and cannabinoids used for medicinal purposes

The report published today aims to explore current practice in the EU regarding the availability of these substances for medicinal purposes and to clarify some of the complex issues in this area in order to support science, policy and practice. The report notes that the term 'medicinal use of cannabis and cannabinoids' can refer to a wide variety of products and preparations that may contain different active ingredients and use different routes of administration (Figure 1).

The publication provides an up-to-date overview of the scientific basis for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes (Table 1) and concludes that more research and clinical studies are needed to fill 'important data gaps'.

From the US and Canada, to Australia and Israel, the report presents a selection of case studies that illustrate the different approaches taken by countries outside the EU to authorize the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

The report highlights the challenges facing decision-making in this area and summarizes the various issues that governments may consider when deciding whether or not to authorize the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for medicinal purposes. These include: the types of product patients will be able to use; the medical conditions for which these products may be used; and the type of medical and regulatory supervision to which such use should be subject.

Alexis Goosdeel, Director of the EMCDDA, says: “In most countries, the availability of cannabis and cannabinoid products and preparations for medicinal purposes has evolved over time, often in response to patient demand or product development. In this rapidly evolving field, the report aims to provide an objective analysis of current data, practice and experience and to describe the complex multiplicity of approaches taken in the EU and beyond. Finally, it stresses the importance of developing a common language on this matter to help build a basis for evaluation.'