Spain to expand medical use of cannabis

Spain's parliament has approved a bill calling for more medical uses for cannabis, paving the way for it to be sold in pharmacies within the next six months, Medical Xpress reports.

Currently, Spain only allows the use in hospitals of two preparations containing cannabis derivatives: one for the treatment of muscle stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis and the other for the treatment of epileptic seizures.

The text, approved by the Parliamentary Health Commission, calls on health authorities to allow the sale in pharmacies of cannabis extracts or standardized preparations that are not currently authorized for sale.

He also calls for more research into medical cannabis.

The sale and use of cannabis for non-medical purposes in the country will remain banned.

About 50 countries around the world allow the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of various diseases - from the side effects of chemotherapy, endometriosis, or for palliative care.