Greece has just become the sixth country in the European Union to legalize cannabis for medical purposes
The move was announced late last week by the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, who said that doctors in Greece will now be able to prescribe medical cannabis for a variety of ailments and symptoms.
Previously, the Czech Republic, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain all took steps to make medical cannabis available for patients who are looking for natural pain relief, or a reliable appetite stimulant, among other conditions.
Prime Minister Tsipras spoke proudly about the new chapter in Greece’s history, with talk of ‘turning pages’ and the like, “From now on, the country is turning its page, as Greece is now included in countries where the delivery of medical cannabis to patients in need is legal,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
However, some people are even more excited about the other, less reported change in Greek law. As well as moving cannabis to a medical status to be prescribed by doctors, the government is also reclassifying cannabis from a “Schedule I,” to a “Schedule II” substance which is known to have medicinal value.
Both moves, but in particular the second, could in theory open up a vibrant homegrown legal cannabis industry in Greece. One that would be just what the bankrupt country needs right now, having been forced into relative poverty as a result of the failing Euro.
Growing weak cannabis (less than 0.2% THC) has been legal in Greece for a while now, but patients are unable to medicate on that legal cannabis, as it isn’t strong enough to work effectively.
If things work out well in Greece following the new legislation, she could potentially join Portugal as the only other European country to enjoy full cannabis legalization.
Which country will be next is anyone’s guess.
