Medicinal cannabis

Introduction
As of September 2003, the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (BMC), a Dutch government agency, has supplied pharmacies in the Netherlands with 3 varieteis of medicinal cannabis. This cannabis does not have a healing effect, but can provide relief to those suffering from, for instance, multiple sclerosis, rheumatism, pain, sickness, cancer or aids. The implementation of the regulations concerned shows some shortcomings, says Mr Boris van der Ham, MP for the liberal democratic party D66. That is why he has drafted an initiative policy paper, called "Easier access to midicinal cannabis", in which he puts forward proposals to enhance the current policy in this field.

Taboo
According to Mr Van der Ham there are still many taboos and misunderstandings and a lot of uncertainty about the application and prescription of medicinal cannabis. Insufficient information is provided and much remains unclear about the diseases and symptoms that might be relieved by medicinal cannabis. Mr Van der Ham calls for clinical research on cannabis, in order to provide the application of medicinal cannabis with a broader scientific basis. Doctors are now reluctant to prescribe medical cannabis, given the negative associations.

Varieties
Another problem is that the choice of cannabis is too limited. Only 3 varieties of cannabis are available through pharmacies at present and these varieties do not have the desired effect on all the patients. Some patients accept this and possibly miss a potentially effective medicament. Others buy cannabis in coffee shops, which is often of poorer quality. Mr Van der Ham urges Mr Ab Klink, the minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, to enter into talks with BMC and patients' organisations, in order to find out how many more varieties of cannabis should become available.

Costs
For many patients who use medicinal cannabis, the costs are too high. Many health care insurance companies do not reimburse medicinal cannabis or only partly, so patients are put off to buy their cannabis in a pharmacy. Some patients go to coffee shops, where the average price of cannabis is lower. Some patients decide to grow cannabis themselves. In the eyes of Mr Van der Ham this is an undesirable development, hence his pledge to include cannabis in the standard health insurance package.

What is an initiative policy paper?
MPs can draft a so-called initiative policy paper, on their own or on cooperation with other MPs. The paper is submitted to the standing committee on the field of policy in question. The initiative policy paper "Easier access to medicinal cannabis" deals with a number of practical issues related to medicinal cannabis and is dealt with by the standing committee on Health, Welfare and Sport.