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[Bananas5]

Podemos calls for regulation to approve therapeutic cannabis use in the Canaries

1 July 2018

Podemos Canarias says that the Canaries can lead the way in the regulation of cannabis in Spain, and thereafter in Europe. The political party’s secretary of Institutional Action and Mediation, Juan Márquez, has said that the islands can be a superb launchpad for the entire country to join other countries like Canada in legalizing cannabis. The proposal comes as Jesus Manrique, the chief of the Asociación de Usuarios y Estudios de Cannabis Medicinal Kaizen Tenerife (Association of Users and Studies of Kaizen Medicinal Cannabis Tenerife), appeared before the Health Commission in the Canarian Parliament on the topic of the regulation of the therapeutic use of cannabis in the Canaries.

Márquez himself said that he believes that the regulation of this “psychotropic substance”, has been clearly proven scientifically to have therapeutic benefits for certain ailments, and should be regulated in Spain. The Canarian Parliament has urged this already, he said, having called on Mariano Rajoy’s Government last year to make significant advances in regulation of cannabis consumption, bearing in mind always that it can carry health risks, like any product.

Márquez explained the current legal situation, namely that under article 368 of the Penal Code cannabis cannot be sold, but may be consumed freely, “which is why”, he explained, “it’s legal to sell seeds and to cultivate and consume marijuana in private places”. Unfortunately, he continued, the law does not distinguish between therapeutic and recreational use, though the Supreme Court has passed several verdicts recently which indicate a shift of opinion, clearly stating that even “illegal activity” might lack “criminal relevance under certain conditions”..

This is why, Márquez said, there was a joint initiative (pun not intended but fully appreciated!) of the PSOE, Podemos and Nueva Canarias, approved last year by the Canarian Parliament, for the 200 or so cannabis clubs and associations registered in the Canaries to self-regulate with good practices and collaboration with public administrations. He asked how long the existence of these clubs is going to be formally ignored, and stressed that apart from finally allowing the subject to move forward in line with other enightened countries like Canada, legalization would bring huge economic benefits through the meteorological and geological conditions in the Canaries which allow three crops to be harvested a year, not only creating agricultural sector jobs but also acting as a giant tax generator: Márquez pointed to California, one of the 29 US states where cannabis is legal, and where the economy benefits by legalization to the tune of some $6.5 billion annually.

It does seem likely that it’s only a matter of time before we in the Canaries have a public administration regulating (at least therapeutic) cannabis and ensure correct scrutiny of cultivation and commercialization.

[SusieJo1948]

I live in Indiana there the last state to get it approved. I read where a man beat a child to death and raping her.got community service. and probation. While this other man got life in prison for having cannabis. Doesn't seem right. I would have him in prison and. Let the inmates have him to beat and raped. The rest of his life. Susiejo1948

[Bananas5 in reply to SusieJo1948]

Makes no sense of any law whatsoever.

The trouble that many European countries have with legalizing medicinal cannabis is the huge pharmaceutical companies who hold the governments to ransom

They make vast profits from 'normal' drugs and will not spend money researching cannabis

But we do feel now the tide is turning and our little islands here could be the starting point.

I'll do my bit of pushing too!

x

[Alb2]

You’ve made some really valid comments. I agree that it probably comes down to the dictates of the huge pharmaceutical companies. God forbid we should start thinking for ourselves and reduce their massive profits!🤣I’ve never understood the mentality of the NHS when it can dole out opioids, often with awful side effects, yet won’t acknowledge the benefits of therapeutic cannabis. But yes, the tide is turning I think, especially with the recent publicity regarding the efficacy of cannabis re epilepsy. I use CBD oil and can honestly say it’s helped my pain and facial twitching enormously but it’s very expensive. When discussing it with my consultant, he remarked that a lot of his patients swear by it so thinks good research is what is now needed😊