Denmark to Extend Cannabis Pilot Scheme
The Danish government has announced plans to make the medical marijuana pilot program, which has been in place since 2018, permanent. The program was initially designed to gather data and conduct research to help create better regulations at a national level.
More than 20,000 prescriptions have been issued since its launch. “The program was introduced in 2018 to give selected patient groups, such as those with multiple sclerosis or cancer, the legal option to use medical marijuana for treatment,” the Ministry of Interior and Health said.
“We have found that many patients benefit from being prescribed medical marijuana. This includes cancer patients, those suffering from nausea after chemotherapy, and those with multiple sclerosis who struggle with severe pain,” said Minister of Interior and Health Sophie Løhde. She added: – If the government gets its way, patients will still have the legal opportunity to use medical marijuana, which is why we plan to make these provisions permanent. Now, however, we have to wait for the opinion of the parties to the agreement.
The current pilot program is due to end in 2025. The proposal to make it permanent has not yet been approved. The ministry said that Sophie Løhde had invited parties such as SF, Liberal Alliance, Enhedslisten, Dansk Folkeparti and Alternativet to negotiate the future of the program.
The global medical marijuana market is growing
Meanwhile, research shows that interest in medical marijuana is growing around the world. According to researchers from France, 57 countries have already taken steps to legalize medical marijuana. In turn, market analysis conducted by Introspective Market Research indicates that the global value of this industry is currently over $13 billion, and by 2032 it is expected to reach $91 billion, which means an annual growth of 24%.
The Danes still have time to make a decision, but many observers hope the program will be maintained.
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