Medical marijuana. What can we learn from the experiences in Canada, Germany and Thailand?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Medical marijuana. What can we learn from the experiences in Canada, Germany and Thailand?

AU - Rehm, Jürgen

AU - Elton-Marshall, Tara

AU - Sornpaisarn, Bundit

AU - Manthey, Jakob

PY - 2019/12

Y1 - 2019/12

N2 - Cannabis policies are changing globally, and medical marijuana programs are part of these changes. Drawing from the examples of two high-income (Canada, an early adopter of medical marijuana, and Germany, a late adopter) and one middle-income (Thailand) countries, we illustrate two main pressures underlying these recent changes. First, in many high-income countries, cannabis has been used to self-medicate for different ailments and diseases, even though there is no evidence of effectiveness for many of these conditions. Second, the cannabis industry is pressuring governments and decision-makers to allow for medical marijuana use with lenient regulations-without specifying medical conditions (indications) and requiring only a prescription from a health professional to obtain it. As a result, demand is likely to increase, even in countries with low prevalence of use. Cannabis policy-makers need to consider a balance between the medical benefits of medical marijuana and the potential public health consequences and cost.

AB - Cannabis policies are changing globally, and medical marijuana programs are part of these changes. Drawing from the examples of two high-income (Canada, an early adopter of medical marijuana, and Germany, a late adopter) and one middle-income (Thailand) countries, we illustrate two main pressures underlying these recent changes. First, in many high-income countries, cannabis has been used to self-medicate for different ailments and diseases, even though there is no evidence of effectiveness for many of these conditions. Second, the cannabis industry is pressuring governments and decision-makers to allow for medical marijuana use with lenient regulations-without specifying medical conditions (indications) and requiring only a prescription from a health professional to obtain it. As a result, demand is likely to increase, even in countries with low prevalence of use. Cannabis policy-makers need to consider a balance between the medical benefits of medical marijuana and the potential public health consequences and cost.

U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.09.001

DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.09.001

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31525639

VL - 74

SP - 47

EP - 51

JO - INT J DRUG POLICY

JF - INT J DRUG POLICY

SN - 0955-3959

ER -