Denmark set to make MMJ scheme permanent

On November 19, Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde took a significant step toward shaping the future of medical cannabis in Denmark. Meeting with key parties behind the agreement on the trial scheme, the government proposed a bold move: making the scheme permanent.

This proposal comes on the heels of a new evaluation revealing that medical cannabis prescriptions have surged to their highest levels since the scheme began in 2018. Over the past three years alone, patients have redeemed 20,000 prescriptions under the program.

The scheme, introduced in 2018, was designed to give specific patient groups—such as those with multiple sclerosis or cancer—a legal option to use medical cannabis as part of their treatment. The trial scheme was extended in 2021 for an additional four years and is set to expire at the end of 2025.

The latest evaluation highlights a steady growth in patient participation, with approximately 1,800 individuals now benefiting from cannabis-based medicine.

"We see that many patients who receive medical cannabis prescriptions appear to benefit from the treatment," said Minister Løhde. "This includes cancer patients suffering from severe nausea after chemotherapy and people with multiple sclerosis experiencing intense pain."

The government believes patients should continue to have legal access to this treatment option. "That's why we plan to make the scheme permanent," Minister Løhde added. "However, we first need to hear the perspectives of the parties involved in the agreement."

On behalf of the government, Sophie Løhde had invited the parties behind the agreement—SF, Liberal Alliance, Red-Green Alliance, Danish People's Party, and the Alternative—to negotiate the future of the trial scheme for medical cannabis on November 19.

"It is excellent news for patients and Stenocare that the government is now taking steps toward permanent legalization," Thomas Skovlund Schnegelsberg, CEO of Danish MMJ producer Stenocare ."We were invited to provide input for the pilot evaluation report, which politicians will use to define a permanent legalisation model for Denmark. We are confident that the future of medical cannabis treatment is in good hands."