Long overdue law on cannabis as medicine created

The Federal Cabinet today has the law on cannabis as medicine
adopted, which the traffic, prescription and
Reimbursement of cannabis medicines. Now
it will be brought to the Bundestag for advice.

Georg Wurth, Managing Director of the German Hemp Association, sees in the
Decide the decisive breakthrough for cannabis as a medicine in
Germany.

New law on the use of cannabis in medicine. Image: stokkete - fotolia

"Cannabis flowers are by the new regulation almost a drug like
each other. Instead of the bureaucratic detour via individual
Exemptions may in future doctors cannabis via a
prescribe normal narcotic prescription and in certain cases
they can also be reimbursed by health insurances. "

Maximilian Plenert, scientific employee of the DHV and himself
affected patient, sees in the conclusion the result for years
Processes of patients against the blockade attitude of the Federal Government.

"The use of cannabis as a medicine has been almost exclusive
advanced by successful complaints from patients. The policy has
The right of patients to medical care is blocked where they are
only could. "

The most important criticism of the DHV at the current bill is the
Blockade in self-cultivation by patients. To prevent this
explicitly named by the federal government as the purpose of the law. The
However, cultivation by patients is the only option for the time being,
Security of supply, diversity of varieties for each diagnosis and the real one
Availability of their drug regardless of their financial
To ensure opportunities. Wurth assumes that the youngest
Judgment of the Federal Administrative Court for own cultivation valid for the time being
remains and the BfArM must approve of cultivation applications of patients.

Wurth critically sees the ultima ratio rule for reimbursement
by the statutory health insurance.

"Patients must continue to use all other possible medications, in part
With significant side effects, have tried to reimbursement
even if it's already clear that cannabis helps them. "

Further criticizes Plenert on the obligatory "companion survey".

"The compulsion for reimbursement of a companion survey
to participate is ethically highly questionable. Likewise is perfect
unclear how based on these data guidelines for reimbursement
of cannabis flowers. We demand a reasonable one
State research project on cannabis as medicine. Many patients
have already volunteered in the past
to participate in such a project, however, the Federal Government has this
Offer not noticed. It is considered decades of prevented
Cannabis research to catch up with cannabis in the future
The same evidence can be used as other medicines.
Likewise, the federal government must implement the law
Close educational gaps in the medical profession. "(Pm)