Macedonia Considers Legalising Medical Cannabis

Macedonia has begun work to join this trend towards change and to bank on marijuana, in view of the benefits it provides thousands of patients worldwide. Although thus far it has only shown interest in hearing the point of views of various segments of society, this is an important step for those who have always championed the benefits of the plant.

The country's Health Ministry stated that it is listening to expert opinions on the possible legalisation of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, and that for some time it has been consulting specialists about the benefits of developing drugs based on the plant that alleviate the effects of serious diseases; these are doctors, pharmacists and even representatives of civil society who, together, will help find an optimal solution in this sector.

Thus far several discussions have been held with important agents in the world of activism and research, as well as experts in cannabis, and even cancer patients, who have contributed to analysing the pros and cons of legalisation. A poll published in September found that 70% of Macedonian citizens support the use of cannabis products to combat certain diseases. The same survey highlighted that 34% of the population also supports cannabis’s general legalisation.

At the meetings the psychiatrist Darko Kostovski explained that legalisation would afford patients access to a drug of proven, standardised quality. A patient named Filip, who suffered from lymphatic cancer, explained that thanks to cannabis oils he was able to recover, and that there are many cases of those who have won their battles with the disease. What is needed, he believes, is for the treatments to be legal so that those most in need have access to a high-quality product capable of curing their conditions.

To date 13 European Union countries have approved the medical use of this plant. The last to do so was Croatia, also the first Balkan state to allow patients to legally buy and use the substance. For the moment it does not seem that neighbouring states will follow its example, though everything will come, in time.