PHILIPSBURG–The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs VSA said on Thursday evening that it has taken note of the recent discussion regarding medical marijuana and indicated that the VSA Inspectorate has been working on a draft policy for medical marijuana, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year.
“Given the current status of evidence-based data from (clinical) research and experience in several countries, the Inspectorate VSA is of the opinion that this is a treatment option that may benefit patients if available in St. Maarten,” it was stated in a press release issued late last night.
The draft policy was initiated in March 2018 and the objective is to create a policy that takes into consideration the existing legal framework and makes it possible to import, store, distribute, prescribe and dispense medical cannabis in a controlled manner.
The project started based on a request from various stakeholders, including medical professionals, the release said. The medicinal cannabis falls under the Opium ordinance and as such, the legal framework is there. “The patient would require safe legal access to affordable, high quality medicinal cannabis. When the policy is completed and legislation has been approved, the Inspectorate will ensure that the respective information is made public and accessible to the community and press.”
Medicinal cannabis is cannabis that is specifically produced and destined to alleviate certain health conditions. There have been evidence-based tests indicating that medicinal cannabis has been successful for some people suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses for which conventional medicines do not work, or do not work as effectively as medicinal cannabis, it was stated in the release. “Also, for some patients, conventional medicines may work, but cause debilitating side-effects that cannabis can help to relieve.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84894-inspectorate-working-on-draft-policy-for-medical-marijuana
View comments
Hide comments