Since Poland began cracking down on prescriptions for telemedicine, the number of prescriptions for medical cannabis has plummeted.
In Poland, Germany and the UK, Telemedicine is a key driver for growth. However, increasing concerns about the use of the technology outside of medical purposes and the ease with which it can be accessed have turned this into a highly contentious issue.
Poland could be the first domino in an effort to crackdown across Europe on the growth engine. Discussions are underway in Germany and UK about similar actions.
The Polish government has proposed a new bill that would label non-intoxicating CBD and hemp as narcotics.
What has happened?
The following is discussed: Prohibition Partners The medical cannabis market in Poland has grown in the last few years. Prescriptions have risen from 11400 in 2020, to 313,000 by 2023.
Latest data from Poland’s official registry e-Health Centre shows significant market growth in 2023 compared to 2012. The number of patients increased from 36,600 to 96,000, and the consumption volume increased by 800 kilograms. Sales also surged, rising from €15m to €42m.
Poland’s Ministry of Health took action in August. They cited concerns about non-medical uses following the dramatic increase.
New regulations were proposed that would mean private clinics can no longer offer remote consultations for cannabis prescriptions, and national health physicians could only provide remote consultations and prescriptions for patients who have previously had an in-person consultation.
In November 2024, despite being widely unpopular, the restrictions went into effect.
Recent research suggests that online private cannabis clinics are the preferred method of obtaining a first prescription for 81.3%, while National Health Fund doctors only receive 6.4%. It is notable that 56.9% patients learned about cannabis treatment online while only 15.5% received information from their doctors.
It is clear, two months later, that the measures taken have had a significant impact on the growth of this market. The number of prescriptions has dropped from 68,000 to 42,000, then to 28,000 by December 2024.
Arek Kuich is the founder of Cannabis Partners, a Polish business strategy and cannabis advisory firm. MEDCAN24: The fourth quarter of 2020 may see a 50% drop in medical marijuana prescriptions.
Some lawyers claim that the decision of the Health Minister was against the law. Some online clinics continued to run despite this, and have exposed themselves to restrictions.
Some Polish Marketing Authorization holders (MAHs), who believe that the decision may be reversed, are currently lobbying to stop it.
CBD will it really be banned?
Polish Ministry of Health has passed an amendment of the Act on Countering Drug Addiction that aims to ban the advertising and sale of hemp products for inhalation or smoking.
A product containing CBD is included in this category. This move is justified by the Ministry, who claims that cannabis and cannabis-based products are addictive.
It is blatantly false that hemp plants with THC levels less than 0,3% are classified as industrial cannabis.
The proposed changes will not apply to all hemp-based products. CBD oil, provided it is not for use in smoking or inhalation and does not contain nicotine, will be exempt from prohibition. All other hemp-based products such as food, textiles for clothing, medicines, energy and cosmetics will remain safe.
Some CBD shops and other businesses who primarily sell hemp for smoking or vaporisation may need to adapt or cease operations.
The amendment proposal is still in draft form and will have to pass several obstacles before it becomes law. The proposed amendment must be approved by parliamentary committees and then vote by the full chamber. It will also need to pass the Senate before it becomes law.
The fate of this proposal remains uncertain, given the current presidential election and the coalition disputes within the government.
Kuich said: “It’s hard to know if CBD is classified as a drug. Sometimes the government ‘floats a trial balloon’ to gauge public reaction.
“Another problem is that CBD has been classified in the EU as a novel product, and not as a narcotic.
In Poland, the May presidential elections are awaited. Personal, I do not think that any significant legal changes are likely to be implemented in the first six months of this year. This could lead to a decrease in voter support for a candidate from the ruling party.