Spain’s Congress is scheduled to meet next week to debate the legalisation of medical cannabis throughout the country. Speakers are expected to present scientific evidence on the matter as the lower house debates the potential action for the first time.
Next Wednesday, 16th February, the subcommittee of the Health and Consumer Commission of Congress will meet for the first time to discuss the possibility of finally making medical cannabis legal in Spain.
According to the Spanish Medicinal Cannabis Observatory (OECM), the debate will be “the first stone on this path that started in June” – referring to the formation of the subcommittee last year.
The debate will conclude in a report representing the discussed evidence which will be sent to the government for consideration. There is hope that the new law legalising the medical use of cannabis could be approved as soon as possible – possibly even before the Summer.
Meanwhile, the OEMC stresses that the decision should not be delayed past the current legislature, with fear that the debate will once again enter an “empty” field.
Speaking to media sources, Manuel Guzman, the Vice President of the OECM, stated: “We believe it is urgent that in this legislature we can have a medicinal regulation program based on the evidence that already exists.”
The OECM will present the findings from their two formal objectives outlined on its formation:
1) to analyse the experiences of other governments that have regulated medical cannabis access schemes – This will be completed with the input of foreign government personnel and other experts in the field, and
2) to produce a report with proposals for the best practices in the control of medical cannabis in Spain.
It is reported that at least 300,000 patients in Spain could benefit from the reform. As the Guzman says: “We are talking about patients with serious and very debilitating ailments that deserve humane treatment.
“Patients with cancer, neurological diseases, including pain in its different degrees, fibromyalgia, and chronic insomnia.”
20minutos also reports on comments made by Carola Perez, director of the OECM: “The patient should be at the centre, he and his rights, that is why it must be taken into consideration, because we have been in a situation of insecurity for years.”
Spain could well be the next European country to legalise the medical use of cannabis in a climate that is accelerating the industry. More than 40 countries around the world have now legalised the drug for medical purposes.
