After legalizing the therapeutic cannabis in 2017, only on February 19th, 7 years later, in Greece legislation has come into force that allows the use of cannabinoids to treat various pathologies, thus revolutionizing the country's healthcare landscape.
In particular, cannabis can be prescribed for:
- Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and combination therapy for HIV or hepatitis C
- Chronic pain management
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury
- The appetite stimulation in palliative care
However, as they are not refundable, cannabinoid-based treatments in Greece weigh entirely on patients' pockets.
And on the market, at least for now, there is only one balanced CBD/THC product available Tunik Olam Europe. But it is expected that new products with higher THC percentages will be presented as soon as possible to meet everyone's needs.
Medical cannabis improves patients' lives
It was Anna Paga, a 60-year-old woman with psoriatic arthritis, the first person to be prescribed medical cannabis to treat her chronic pain.
"What can I say about this day. A big thank you, relief, vindication, freedom to live. I was among the first to receive the prescription through the electronic prescription system and I didn't expect it, I couldn't believe it. I burst into tears.... end of risks and fears", the woman said to the news agency Athens-Macedonia.
Paga told how the diagnosis had turned his life upside down, transforming it into a endless nightmare of constant pain, as she underwent rounds of abortive treatments for her condition, which they eventually had to stop. A pain that had exhausted her to the point of thinking of taking her own life.
Until he discovered the possibility of healing with medical cannabis on the internet, through a non-profit organization called Mamaka (Mothers for Cannabis).
Organization that played a fundamental role in defense of rights of patients, pushing as hard as possible to ensure patients have access to cannabis for therapeutic use.
Despite this, until now the woman has had to provide her own therapy for illegal channels, risking criminal sanctions that certainly would not have helped his situation.
Fortunately, however, this torment is over. Now medicinal cannabis in Greece is legally available for all patients who wish to use it.
