Doctors in Holland are now permitted to prescribe cannabis to treat chronic pain, nausea and loss of appetite in cancer and HIV patients; to alleviate spasm pain for MS patients; and to reduce physical and verbal tics in people suffering from Tourette's Syndrome. "Cannabis has a beneficial effect for many patients," said a spokesperson for the Health Ministry. Officials said they expect the medical cannabis to be made available initially to between 4,000 and 7,000 patients, rising to 15,000 within the first year.

Two companies in Holland have been given licenses to grow special strains of cannabis in laboratory-like conditions to sell to the Health Ministry, which in turn packages and labels the drug to supply to pharmacies. In addition, 80 hospitals and 400 physicians will be permitted to dispense five-gram doses for the equivalent of $48. The Health Ministry recommends patients dilute the cannabis into a tea, or convert it into a spray.

The Belgium government subsequently announced that they too would have no objection to adopting the Dutch model and making cannabis available by prescription. GW Pharmaceuticals in England has already applied to the European Union for approval of its sublingual cannabis spray. If granted, the cannabis spray would be available in all EU member states.

For more information, contact NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre at 202-483-8751.