In the heart of the North Atlantic lies Iceland, a nation known for its impressive landscapes, geothermal springs, and a population that often pioneers social reforms. The latest debate sweeping the island concerns medical cannabis. Bylgjan, Iceland’s largest private radio station, recently took the initiative to ask its listeners about their views on the legalization of medical cannabis. The responses were telling and indicate a possible way forward.
An overwhelming majority, 79.9% of those who responded, expressed their support for allowing medical cannabis. In total 8590 listeners. This figure reflects a strong collective belief in the need to reassess current legislation around cannabis for medical use. On the other hand, 21.1% of participants had a dissenting opinion, showing that there is still a significant portion of the population that is hesitant or opposed to change.
Icelandic officials have proposed a four-year pilot project to explore the medical use of cannabis, including its cultivation, production, and distribution. The project aims to establish a regulated framework by creating a working group to draft legislation. It was planned to start on January 1, 2024, but has been postponed. Currently, Sativex is the only legal cannabis-based medicine in Iceland, prescribed for certain conditions under strict regulations. The pilot is inspired by Denmark’s model, which has been considered successful in providing a safe framework for medical cannabis use. The Icelandic initiative seeks to address chronic pain and other medical conditions by considering the controlled introduction of cannabis medicines, subject to approval and detailed planning regarding licensing and distribution.
Statistics indicate that 6.6% of Iceland’s population consumes cannabis regularly, a figure often misconstrued as 18.3% due to confusion; the higher percentage refers to regular consumption among those Icelanders who have ever used cannabis. This data highlights a significant interest in cannabis within the country, despite its illegal status for recreational purposes.