Lithuania becomes Europe’s latest adopter of medical marijuana

Lithuania’s Parliament voted unanimously to give doctors the ability to prescribe marijuana to treat certain health conditions, making it the latest European Union country to approve the use of medical cannabis.

Agence France-Presse reported that the pending law will come into force May 1, and the sale of medical marijuana will require a license from state regulators.

The law required amendments to Lithuania’s laws on Pharmacy and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, according to 15min, one of the largest online newspapers in Lithuania. (The text of the amendment to the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances can be found here.)

Medical cannabis products will have to be registered and their efficacy proven by scientific research.

Once registered, the products will be available to oncological patients, including those suffering from multiple sclerosis, severe forms of epilepsy and HIV/AIDS, the Respublika newspaper reported. 

Permits for clinical trials will be issued by the State Medicines Control Agency.

One of Canada’s top medical marijuana companies is already active in the small Baltic country.

Alberta-based Aurora Cannabis in September acquired Agropro UAB, Europe’s largest producer, processor and supplier of certified organic hemp and hemp products. Agropro has operations in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

The United Kingdom said in July that medical marijuana will be available by prescription this autumn, joining other European countries such as Germany, Denmark and Italy.