The ministry exposes to public consultation a rule that allows to use this substance for very specific ailments, although it remains to be seen what will be its scope

The Spanish Ministry of Health has begun the process to regulate medicinal cannabis, currently restricted to two drugs for sclerosis and epilepsy. The proposed regulation is expected to approve five uses of the substance, including inhibiting nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, increasing appetite and attenuating weight loss, particularly in cancer and AIDS patients, inhibiting chronic pain, inhibiting muscle stiffness, and inhibiting seizures in refractory epilepsy. The approval does not mean marijuana can be sold for pain relief as in other countries. The drugs will be pharmacy preparations, preferably supplied in hospitals, and will only be prescribed by specialists. The regulation also plans for a centralized registry of patients treated with these new preparations. The public consultation period will be open until March 4. The Ministry of Health’s website has opened a space for citizens to make contributions to the development of the regulation, which will be studied by a team of experts.