Europe's High: Irish GPs Against Pot, Switzerland-Spain Share Data On Cannabis Clubs & More

Denmark: Medical Marijuana Pilot Program Experience 90% Growth In 12 Months

The number of patients enrolled in Denmark’s medical cannabis pilot trial grew more than 90% in 12 months, writes Business of Cannabis.

According to the report from the Danish Health Data Authority, the number of patients involved in the medical marijuana Pilot Programme, which commenced in 2018, hit record numbers in 2023. Now, it makes for the biggest access scheme in the country.

With medical marijuana not being completely regulated in Denmark there are various access schemes, such as:

• Magistral Scheme – under which patients can access only products with CBD and THC isolates, so do not contain the cannabinoids present in full spectrum oils;

•  Pilot Programme - allows all doctors to prescribe any of the unlicensed medicines that have been approved for trial for any condition; 

• Pharmaceutical Scheme, which only allows Jazz Pharmaceuticals' JAZZ Sativex and Epidoloex. 

The popularity rise of the Pilot scheme could be attributed to several reasons among which are: the ability for any doctor to prescribe, the products based on the full spectrum cannabis plant, said Thomas Skovlund Schnegelsberg, CEO of Danish medical cannabis operator Stenocare.

“This means you don’t get the entourage effect that, according to the doctors that I’ve talked to… say they see a higher efficacy with the full spectrum, with all the cannabinoids,” Schnegelsberg said. He also added that the number revealed a preference shift to oils from flower. 

Malta: Government Employee-Led Cannabis Club Breaks Advertising Rules 

One of the first provisionally licensed “cannabis clubs” in Malta, Sprawt Chra, seems to have violated the rules on advertising with its recent Facebook post, which was deleted, writes the Shift.

Under Malta’s cannabis law, only “cannabis harm reduction associations” are licensed and regulated to grow and sell cannabis. These associations must be non-profit, can only sell their product and are not allowed to advertise, put cannabis in the name or promote marijuana use in any way. 

Based in Żebbuġ, Sprawt, one of two associations to obtain an “in-principle” license, which means it was allowed to start the construction of cultivation facilities, but not to grow plants until it is granted a full permit. Sprawt is managed by a government employee as its key officer and treasurer is Andrew Cassar Overend who works at the National Development and Social Fund and was previously an economics officer in the Ministry of Finance and Employment. 

In the controversial post, Sprawt invited people to embark on a “weed-loving journey” with “sizzling events, blazing giveaways, and pot-tastic surprises.”

The post and the entire Sprawt Facebook page have been deleted most likely due to the violation of advertising rules. 

Ireland: College Of General Practitioners Warns About Cannabis Use 

Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) issued a new statement on cannabis use, strongly opposing possible legalization in the country. 

“Cannabis is a dangerous drug and a serious public health concern,” reads the document issued by Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan, the ICGP’s medical director. The ICGP discourages cannabis use, especially in high-risk populations such as youth, those with a personal or family history of mental disorder, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding,”

The statement comes ahead of the final meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, which is scheduled for this weekend, writes the Irish Examiner. The assembly is supposed to put together a report for the Oireachtas on recommendations to reduce harm caused by illegal drugs. 

The ICGP also confirmed that there’s evidence suggesting cannabis offers potential therapeutic benefits, it adds that there are “notable public health and health impacts associated with its use.” 

That’s why it “encourages the HSE and Department of Health to improve surveillance efforts to ensure data is available on the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis, especially emergency department visits and hospitalizations, impaired driving, workplace impairment and worker-related injury and safety, and prevalence of psychiatric and addictive disorders, including cannabis use disorder.” 

The IGCP noted it is behind public-health-based strategies, rather than incarcerations (in relation to individuals owning small amounts of marijuana for personal use), and is inviting for further research into the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoid-based medicinal products.

Switzerland: Explores Barcelona's Cannabis Social Club Model 

In October, a group of Swiss public health professionals involved in the Zurich pilot cannabis program visited a local cannabis social club in Barcelona, writes Iceers. The idea behind the visit was to compare the programs and exchange experiences on harm reduction strategies.

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Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Claudio Schwarz and Brian Jones on Unsplash