Abstract
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has raised public interest in the medicinal use of cannabis, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids, which has always been closely regulated due to their psychotropic effects and potential abuse. The review takes a quick look at the current legal framework in the European Union, which regulates cannabis use and cultivation for medicinal purposes in line with the United Nations Conventions on the production, trade, and use of cannabis, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids. And while the EU legislation precisely defines requirements and marketing authorisation procedures for medicinal products for all EU member states, there is no common regulatory framework for magistral and officinal preparations containing cannabinoids, as they are exempt from marketing authorisation. Instead, their regulation is left to each member state, and it is quite uneven at this point, mainly due to cultural and historical differences between the countries, leading to different access to non-authorised medicinal products. Therefore, to meet great public interest, harmonised approaches on cannabinoid-containing products without marketing authorisation would be welcome to level the playing field in the EU.
Highlights
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOIDS IN MEDICINEEver since the nineteenth century approval of the use of cannabis tincture to relieve pain and nausea in Britain [5], most countries allow medicinal use of cannabinoids as one of the legal treatment options [1]
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has raised public interest in the medicinal use of cannabis, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids, which has always been closely regulated due to their psychotropic effects and potential abuse
As it may pose a serious risk to public health, it has long been regulated by legislation, and cannabis and phytocannabinoid-containing products are the most commonly used illicit drugs in the world
Summary
Ever since the nineteenth century approval of the use of cannabis tincture to relieve pain and nausea in Britain [5], most countries allow medicinal use of cannabinoids as one of the legal treatment options [1]. Three United Nations (UN) conventions, signed by all EU member states, outline the basic framework for controlling the production, trade, and possession of over 240 psychoactive substances, many of which have therapeutic potential. These conventions classify narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including cannabis, according to their danger to health, risk of abuse, and therapeutic value. Cannabis was included in Schedule IV among the most dangerous substances due to their harmful characteristics, the risks of abuse, and limited therapeutic value This significantly limited the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for medicinal purposes, which has later raised a number of controversies [16]. This eventually leads to different access for patients to these medicinal products containing cannabinoids in the EU countries
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