In less than a year, after the voters of Slovenia approved by a large margin a question on medical cannabis as part the 2024 European Parliament election (66.7%), legislators in this European country introduced a measure to modernize medical cannabis. Slovenia will have the most innovative medical cannabis industry in Europe if approved.
It was introduced in mid April. The new measure would radically change Slovenian cannabis policy governing scientific and medical uses. Despite being technically legal, access to safe medical cannabis in Slovenia is very limited. The cannabis advocates of Slovenia have been working hard to make this milestone a reality for many years.
Slovenian lawmakers are considering a new medical marijuana measure that would legalize commercial production of medical cannabis in the country, as well home cultivation and regulated distribution. Scientific research is also encouraged. Slovenia, as one of the world’s leading research and innovation hubs for several major industries, is well-positioned to take on the international cannabis market.
The modernization measures would also create an industry licensing system that is non-restrictive, something not seen in many legal jurisdictions for medical cannabis. According to the bill, any person or organization that meets all regulatory requirements may obtain a medical marijuana industry license in order to conduct business within Slovenian borders. A public tender is not required and there will be no state monopoly. The proposed law will allow both private and public entities to be involved in the production and distribution of medical cannabis.
All medical cannabis sold on Slovenia’s markets would be required to meet Good Agricultural and Collection Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and European Pharmacopoeia (EP) standards. The requirement that all products containing medical cannabis meet these standards ensures that Slovenian cannabis patients can access high-quality and safe products.
Slovenian Drugs List Removes THC
As part of Slovenia’s medical cannabis modernization, the elimination of tetrahydrocannabinol from the list of banned drugs will be a key component. This policy would positively impact sectors producing products derived from the cannabis plants and derivatives such as resins and extracts. This policy change will allow for the reclassification and eradication of various prohibitions-based barriers that held back Slovenian industries and research.
Germany, Slovenia’s continental European peer, passed a modernization of its cannabis policy over a year ago. Germany’s CanG law included the removal from their Narcotics List of cannabis. This has had a significant positive impact on the medical cannabis industry in Germany. Germany’s medical marijuana industry has grown at an explosive rate since the cannabis was reclassified.
According to current Slovenian legislation, medical cannabis is only available with narcotics prescription protocols. This has been a significant reason for the small size of Slovenia’s program. This narcotics prescription restriction severely limits what medical cannabis is available for patients. This requirement would be eliminated if the lawmakers approved the proposal. Medical cannabis products will then be made available through regular prescriptions.
Cannabis Medical Cannabis is Regulated in Animals
Around the globe, there are currently more than 60 nations that have adopted legalization policies for medical cannabis. Medical cannabis models differ from one country to another, and the strictest ones have the fewest legal patients due to the prescription protocol for narcotics. These models prohibit “whole-plant” medical cannabis, which leaves patients only with the expensive synthetic and cannabinoid derivatives imported.
The legalization of medical cannabis in a regulated form for animals is a component that distinguishes Slovenia from other European countries, where it is also legal to use medical marijuana. This is a medical cannabis area that has tremendous potential, yet is in its infancy.
The same as for humans, peer-reviewed scientific studies found that animal patients can benefit from using medical cannabis treatments. It is urgently needed for further research to identify which cannabinoids are most effective and what dosage level they should be given to animals. This presents an opportunity for Slovenian scientists to carry out such research, develop products and sell them on the international market.
Gold Standard Medical Cannabis Models
In the event that it is implemented, Slovenia’s new medical cannabis legislation will guarantee a constant and stable supply of cannabis-based products to its pharmacies, wholesalers and healthcare providers. The new law will ensure that Slovenian patients who are suffering are not dependent upon medical cannabis imports, or subjected irregularly to access.
Slovenia’s medical cannabis market is projected to grow by 4% annually, reaching over €55 million by 2029. This bill will open up the industry to innovation in the country, creating jobs and exporting potential. Current Slovenian projections could prove too conservative over time, due to its robustness.
The Slovenian medical marijuana bill, which was introduced, is aligned to the United Nations’ current drug conventions. It builds on the successful models used by countries like Germany and Austria and draws from the Netherlands.
Slovenia’s Medical Cannabis Measure is the best proposal in Europe’s short history of legalized cannabis and should be celebrated. The bill represents a significant milestone, not just for Slovenia but for all of Europe and the global cannabis movement.
It is the best example of a model for medical marijuana. When it helps patients and boosts Slovenia’s economic growth, other nations will follow Slovenia.