Greece Legalizes Medical Cannabis

Greece is the latest country in the European Union to legalize medical cannabis.

The Government Gazette reports that the Ministers of Health and Justice has officially decided that cannabis is no longer a “Table A” substance, which is a similar classification as Schedule I in the United States.

In a press release from the country’s Prime Miniser, Alexis Tsipras expanded on his pride in being able to allow Greece to become one of many countries to allow medical cannabis. “From now on, the country is turning its page, as Greece is now included in countries where the delivery of medical cannabis to patients in need is legal.”

This means that the country could possibly provide licenses for cultivation in the near future, although so far no cannabis will be grown within the country. As of this writing, there are only plans for the medicine to be imported.

Greece is known for its conservative, Catholic-leaning government and notoriously strict cannabis laws. Its prohibition on cannabis dates back to 1890, and like the U.S., has since then classified it as a psychoactive substance in the “Table A” category, meaning it is treated as though it has no medicinal value. However, recent laws in Greece surrounding cannabis are starting to be more liberal and lenient.

In 2013, the country legalized cannabis containing 0.2 percent THC or less. In 2016, Greece decided they would put together a panel of experts to consider legalization for medical purposes.

Many hope that this will bring money to the country and eventually allow for a legal cannabis market in Greece.

While Greece still has yet to legalize recreational cannabis and tap in to the thriving hash exports they were once known to produce, this is still the next in a series of important steps towards full acceptance of cannabis in one of the most historically rich places on Earth.