"We will legalize cannabis and open a new front of work and economic growth, in addition to increasing the technological aspect. "What the citizens have said will be realized," said the Prime Minister a few days ago regarding the legalization of medical cannabis. He referred to a questionnaire where out of 500,000 Albanians, 308 thousand citizens were in favor of legalization. But what does this mean?
Albania, law and cannabis
In the early 2000s, Albania acceded to the Joint Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which is an international treaty that regulates drug activities - production, trade and use - as well as establishing a system of rules (licenses, measures for research studies, etc.).
The Criminal Code of a few years ago banned the use, production and trafficking of narcotics (including cannabis), but recently changes have been made, such as keeping cannabis for personal use in small doses.
What does it mean to legalize medical cannabis?
Cannabis will be produced domestically and can be exported abroad. Medical cannabis will not be sold in regular stores, but only in pharmacies and with a doctor's recommendation. Only companies that will apply for a permit and be approved by the government can cultivate medical cannabis. So not everyone will be able to cultivate it.
Some of the European countries where medical cannabis is legalized are: Germany, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, etc.
What are the (health) benefits?
Medical marijuana is a term for Cannabis sativa plant derivatives used to relieve symptoms caused by certain medical conditions. Medical marijuana is also known as medicinal cannabis. Studies report that medical cannabis has potential benefits for several health conditions, such as:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- HIV / AIDS
- Crohn's disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- Severe and chronic pain
- Nausea or vomiting caused by cancer
Medicinal cannabis comes in various forms, including:
- pills
- oil
- powder
- dried leaves
