Business of Cannabis reports
The Spanish Pain Society (SED) has ‘demanded’ that the government deliver on its promise to regulate medical cannabis during its XIX National Congress, according to Dario Pharma.
This comes amid new concerns that last weeks’ local and regional elections, which painted a worrying picture for the Socialist Party’s prospects in the upcoming parliamentary elections in July, could mean the bill is under threat of being scrapped entirely.
Weeks before the demands were made, the Spanish government at last acknowledged the delays to the now long overdue medical cannabis regulation, suggesting that a report will be presented this week.
In his first appearance before the Health Commission of the Lower House earlier this month, José Manuel Miñones, the Spanish Health Minister, apologised for the six-month delay in publishing the regulatory framework.
After Spain’s congress gave the green light for medical cannabis to be rolled out, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) was given the task of publishing proposals for how medical cannabis could be worked into the country’s existing health framework by the end of 2022.
Business of Cannabis has reported on the subsequent delays on multiple occasions, with the government initially remaining tight-lipped as to the reasons behind the delay.
Then in March, during his first appearance as the newly appointed Health Minister, Mr Miñones responded to heated questions regarding the delay, stating that ‘unfortunately… the information is insufficient, and we cannot recommend its use. We must go hand in hand with scientific evidence to balance benefit and risk. We continue to work on it.’
Following this ‘regression’ in stance, Mr Miñones said on May 10, 2023 that he promised to present a report which will regulate the use of cannabis in the Spanish National Health System (SNS) by the end of the month.
“It is not a matter of bad faith on the part of this Ministry but rather an excess of zeal,” he said.
