Medical cannabis is in high demand, but Italy is restricting supply

By Leonardo Fiorentini / il manifesto

Three tons—this is the Italian requirement of medical cannabis for the current year (together with San Marino and Vatican City) predicted by the INCB (International Narcotics Control Board), the watchdog of international narcotics conventions. The figure is up 50% on the previous year and more than double what was predicted in 2018. However, by the end of the year, only about 1,000 kg of cannabis will actually be dispensed. In Italy, medical cannabis is now a mirage for too many patients.

In the last 60 days, there are 16 regions where there have been problems with the supply of medical cannabis, as documented by the patients themselves on monitorcannabis.it. Yet it’s enough to take a look at the specialized groups on social media to come across desperate messages from patients who cannot find the type of cannabis required by their therapeutic plan and risk interrupting their treatment. It is an unresolved problem that has persisted since 2017, despite the pledges made and legal regulations.