Ban on the import of medical cannabis products into Greece
31.1.2022
Question for written answer E-000391/2022/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Stelios Kouloglou (The Left)
Many Member States have now legalised the medical use of cannabis and the circulation of EMA-approved and other prescription drugs[1]. At the same time, the EP has adopted a resolution highlighting their therapeutic effects[2], possibly even in the case of COVID-19[3].
Since 2017, the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and the licensing and manufacture of finished products with a TCH content exceeding 2% have all been officially regulated in Greece.
On 2 December 2021, the Government banned the import of medical cannabis products in their final state for domestic consumption[4], making it impossible for Greek patients to obtain such products with a tetrahydrocannabinol content exceeding 2%, since they have not been licensed for domestic production and few companies will meet the necessary conditions any time soon. As a result, patients are resorting to illegally distributed preparations from unreliable sources .
In view of this
- 1.Will the Commission seek to establish whether the principles of fair competition, which is essential for the free movement of goods, and the provisions of the European Medicines Regulatory System are being infringed?
- 2.How can it help Greek patients gain legal access to the treatment they need?
- [1] https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/10171/20185584_TD0618186ENN_PDF.pdf
- [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190207IPR25221/take-medical-use-of-cannabis-seriously-say-meps
- [3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35007072/
- [4] http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wEzH9d6xfVpRXdtvSoClrL8oeKAuTKOuiV5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx9hLslJUqeiQYwULoLinfEH27X3LWi11qP37-FlLSg7jxNsjW9aLbmU.