Medical Cannabis Prescriptions in Poland Decrease – Causes and Effects

Since November 2024, we have observed a drastic decrease in the number of prescriptions for medical cannabis. This change is a direct result of the tightening of regulations on prescription machines introduced by the Ministry of Health.

The new regulations exclude the possibility of obtaining a prescription for controlled substances, such as medical cannabis, as part of a teleconsultation. Issuing such a prescription currently requires a personal examination of the patient. Have these changes brought the expected results? Let’s take a closer look at this problem.

Changes to medical cannabis prescription regulations

As of November 7th, 2024, any prescription for medical cannabis, fentanyl, morphine, or oxycodone must be preceded by a patient visit to a doctor’s office.

The goal of this change was to reduce abuse related to issuing prescriptions through online prescription machines. The new regulations are intended to prevent the use of medical cannabis for recreational purposes and ensure that this substance only goes to patients who really need it.

Statistics: Prescriptions drop sharply

Before the new regulations were introduced, the number of prescriptions for medical cannabis was growing rapidly. In January 2024, 40,000 were issued, and in October, 68,000. However, in November, after changes in the regulations, this number dropped to 42,000, and in December it was only 28,000.

“This change is not surprising at all, because medical cannabis was largely used not for treatment, but for recreation. The new regulations limit this phenomenon,” commented Jakub Kosikowski, spokesman for the Supreme Medical Chamber, in an interview for Gazeta Wyborcza.

Doctors’ Perspective

According to experts, medical cannabis has its place in treatment, but its use should be limited to indications such as oncology, rheumatology or neurology. Jakub Kosikowski points out that there are no official psychiatric indications for the use of this substance. “Medical cannabis was often prescribed for psychiatric reasons, which is contrary to recommendations. Unfortunately, this was possible both in prescription machines and in some stationary doctor’s offices,” explained Kosikowski.

The doctor emphasizes that this substance is not a miracle cure-all. Cannabis does not cure cancer and should not be used as a primary painkiller. However, it can support the treatment of patients with severe pain, especially those who are already using opioids.

Consequences of changes in regulations

The changes to the regulations brought several benefits:

Increased scrutiny over the use of medical cannabis.
Better availability of the drug in pharmacies for patients who actually need it.

However, the new regulations also cause some problems. For many patients, the need to have a physical visit can be a barrier, especially for those living in remote areas. In addition, Kosikowski draws attention to the phenomenon of the “two-speed law”.

“We are creating a situation in which wealthy people can safely afford to buy medical cannabis, while less affluent patients are left at the mercy of the black market ” the doctor noted.

The economics of medical cannabis in Poland

In 2024, Poles spent record amounts on medical cannabis. In October, its sales amounted to PLN 42.6 million, which is almost a third of the year’s spending on this drug. For many people using cannabis recreationally, its medical version was more attractive than products from the black market. Certainty about the composition, purity and legal nature of the purchase was crucial.

Summary and conclusions

The changes to the regulations were intended to reduce abuse and better manage the use of medical cannabis. While they succeeded in reducing the number of prescriptions, they also raised controversy related to the availability of the drug and social justice. It is worth considering further steps, including the possible legalization of cannabis in Poland, to meet the needs of patients without giving up responsible control.

Decisions made today will have far-reaching consequences for the Polish healthcare system and the debate on controlled substances. Will the new regulations achieve their intended goal? Time will tell.

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(Featured image by  National Cancer Institute via Unsplash)

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First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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