An opposition lawmaker has proposed legislation that would reclassify cannabis-derived medicines with proven medical benefits as psychotropic drugs, paving the way for their domestic production and supply.
Rep. Kim Hyeong-dong of the opposition People Power Party (PPP), a member of the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, said Monday that he had introduced an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act for that purpose.
Rep. Kim Hyeong-dong of the opposition People Power Party has introduced an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act that would classify cannabis-derived medicines with proven medical efficacy as psychotropic drugs. (Source: Rep. Kim’s Facebook page)
The bill would classify cannabis-derived substances used for therapeutic purposes, including cannabidiol (CBD), as psychotropic drugs. The amendment would establish the legal basis for manufacturing and obtaining marketing approval for medicines containing these ingredients in Korea.
The proposal also includes provisions to establish and operate a Medical Narcotics Raw Material Management Center to ensure a stable supply and oversight of medical cannabis ingredients. Under the plan, the government would oversee the entire process—from cultivation and extraction of raw materials to the production of finished pharmaceutical products—to stabilize supply while minimizing the risk of misuse.
Under the current law, medical cannabis products are available only through imports arranged by the Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center for patients with certain conditions, such as epilepsy, for personal therapeutic use. As a result, the supply remains dependent on overseas manufacturers, raising concerns over high costs and unstable availability.
Rep. Kim said the proposed amendment would broaden treatment options for patients with rare and intractable diseases while laying the foundation for developing Korea’s medical cannabis industry.
“This amendment is not only a livelihood bill that will improve access to treatment for patients with rare and intractable diseases, but also legislation that will help transform Andong into a global bio hub and revitalize the regional economy,” Kim said. “I will devote every effort to ensuring its swift passage so that domestic production of cannabis-derived medicines can stabilize the supply chain and Andong’s hemp industry can take a leading role in the global market.”
Rep. Kim will also host a National Assembly policy forum at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Conference Room 6 of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building. The forum, titled “Introducing Cannabis-Derived Medicines to Expand Treatment Opportunities for Patients with Rare and Intractable Diseases and Strengthen the Supply Chain for Essential Medicines,” will discuss measures to improve patient access to treatment and strengthen the supply of essential medicines.
출처 : KBR(https://www.koreabiomed.com)
