Cypriot lawmakers have voted to approve the cultivation and use of medical cannabis |
Cypriot legislators on Friday voted to approve the cultivation and use of medical cannabis, joining a growing trend among other European Union nations.
An
amendment to the country's Drugs and Psychotropic Substances law introduces
provisions allowing the import of cannabis seeds and plants for cultivation for
medical purposes.
According
to the law, licenses will be given to three producers during the first 15
years, as the authorities aim to attract firms with an international track
record and prevent the product ending up on the black market.
Medicinal
cannabis will be allowed on prescription to patients suffering from chronic
painful conditions, including those associated with cancer, HIV, rheumatism and
glaucoma.
Officials
have estimated that Cyprus could see medicinal cannabis worth 180 million euros
($200 million) being produced every year, offering a boost for state coffers.
The Cyprus
Green Party welcomed the move Friday with a statement saying: "We hope
that the process will be launched immediately for hundreds of patients seeking
an alternative, non-chemical way to manage their health problems."
"Although
we had proposed many more improvements to this legislation, we believe that the
road to medical cannabis has opened in Cyprus," it added.
Over a
dozen EU countries have authorised the use of medical cannabis.
Greece in
November issued its first licenses for the cultivation and processing of
medical cannabis.
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