Medicinale cannabis in Nederland

Since 2003, medicinal cannabis has been legally cultivated and distributed in the Netherlands under the auspices of the Dutch Office of Medicinal Cannabis (BMC), part of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. As a result of this measure, the indication, dosage, administration route, and safety of cannabis can now be investigated, information necessary for justifying its potentially future position as a standard medicinal product. Despite the current lack of reliable scientific efficacy data, standardised medicinal cannabis without microbes has also been made available on prescription. This has led to a safer and more responsible use. However, it is a bridge too far to say that ‘it doesn’t hurt to try’. The legalisation of medicinal cannabis has also stimulated the development of new purified cannabis-based products, although it is claimed that some patients specifically benefit from using cannabis as a whole product. Despite disappointing sales at the end of 2007, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has announced that the current policy will be extended for a further five years. The Minister also indicated that he would consider discontinuing the availability of medicinal cannabis for patients, if new cannabis products are granted market authorisation. This might, however, give rise to a new era of illegal cannabis use for medicinal purposes, notably for the use as a whole product.