Health Systems and Policy Monitor (HSPM)

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Updates

Changes to the medical cannabis access programme

16 January 2025 | Country Update

Luxembourg’s medicinal cannabis programme has undergone significant changes since its inception in February 2019. Under this programme, specially certified doctors can prescribe cannabis for qualifying medical conditions. These includes severe chronic pain unresponsive to conventional treatments, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and multiple sclerosis-associated muscle spasms, with 99% of all prescriptions accounting for pain relief.

Recent policy updates have modified prescription limits and product availability. The maximum allowed quantity of cannabis flowers has been reduced from 100 to 60 grams per 28-day period.  Additionally, THC-rich cannabis flowers have been withdrawn from the programme, though THC-rich oil extracts remain available due to their superior dosing precision andand ease of administration. Patients will still have access to CBD-rich flowers and balanced THC/CBD options.

These changes aim to improve treatment outcomes and enhance patient safety. Following an initial programme evaluation in 2022, a further evaluation is planned for 2025 to assess effectiveness and ensure alignment with patient needs.

Authors
  • Anne-Charlotte Lorcy
  • Katharina Rausch
Country

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