Marijuana-Derived Medicines Become Legal in Macedonia

So far 13 European Union nations have legalized marijuana-derived medicines including Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Now, marijuana-derived medicines have become legal in Macedonia.

Medicines containing less then 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's main psychoactive ingredient, can now be prescribed by doctors and bought in pharmacies, the head of Macedonia's agency for medicines Marija Darkovska-Serafimovska told reporters.

‘Medicines containing less then 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's main psychoactive ingredient, can now be prescribed by doctors in Macedonia.’

"This will help a huge number of Macedonian citizens that are fighting serious illnesses and have a need for treatment with nature-based products," Darkovska-Serafimovska said. The medicines are available to patients battling health problems linked with cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.

The marijuana-derived products are, however, only accessible under doctors' supervision and with a prescription. "This is not a replacement for medical treatment," Health Minister Nikola Todorov said after parliament passed in May 2016 the new law allowing the sales following months of public debate.

Other marijuana use remains illegal under Macedonian law.

Source: AFP