Medical Cannabis Legalised in Spain
On October 7, 2025, Spain took a significant step forward in healthcare by approving a decree from the Ministry of Health that officially legalised the medical use of cannabis. This landmark decision comes with stringent regulations designed to ensure patient safety and effective treatment outcomes.
While Spain has long been recognised for its vibrant cannabis culture, marked by cannabis expos and social clubs, the legal framework surrounding medical cannabis has historically been ambiguous. Until this new law, many patients found themselves relying on cannabis social clubs and other informal sources for their medical needs. With the new legislation, Spain joins several other countries in recognising the therapeutic potential of cannabis, albeit under tightly controlled circumstances.
The medical cannabis law outlines specific conditions under which patients may access cannabis-based treatments. These conditions include:
Refractory Chronic Pain: This includes severe pain associated with cancer and other conditions that have not responded to traditional pain management therapies. Patients suffering from debilitating pain now have an avenue for relief through regulated cannabis products.
Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis: Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis often experience muscle stiffness and spasms. Cannabis has been shown to alleviate these symptoms, providing much-needed comfort to patients dealing with this challenging condition.
Refractory Epilepsy: Certain types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, can be particularly resistant to standard treatments. Under the new regulations, patients suffering from these debilitating forms of epilepsy may now have access to cannabis products that could improve their quality of life and reduce seizure frequency.
Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy:: Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy endure severe nausea and vomiting, which can significantly impact their ability to continue treatment. Medical cannabis has been accepted as a therapeutic option to help manage these distressing side effects.
The law also allows for the possibility of expanding the list of eligible conditions in the future, provided there is robust scientific evidence demonstrating the efficacy of cannabis in treating those conditions.
How Do People Access Medical Cannabis in Spain?
Patients seeking to obtain medical cannabis will find that the process is carefully regulated. Cannabis-based products will be dispensed exclusively through hospital pharmacies, ensuring a controlled and standardised environment for medication delivery. Only specialist physicians—those with expertise in relevant medical fields—will have the authority to issue prescriptions for these products. General practitioners will not be permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medications, emphasising the need for specialised medical oversight in treatment.
To guarantee the quality, consistency, and accurate dosage of cannabis-based products, health authorities will enforce the development of standardised formulations and compounded preparations under stringent pharmaceutical regulations. This is a crucial step to ensure that patients receive safe and reliable medications.
Additionally, a central patient registry has been established. This registry will play a critical role in monitoring patients' progress and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments over time, contributing valuable data to improve future cannabis therapies.
It is important to note that home cultivation of medical cannabis remains prohibited. The royal decree does not provide any provisions for the self-production of therapeutic cannabis, reinforcing the commitment to a controlled and reliable distribution system for medical cannabis in Spain.
With these measures in place, Spain aims to provide patients with a safe alternative for managing their medical conditions while maintaining strong regulations to ensure public health and safety.
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Liz Filmer
