Abstract
Access to medical cannabis in the Netherlands has been limited, despite its availability as a prescription drug since 2003. The National Health Institute's reluctance to officially recognize medical cannabis as a treatment has resulted in increased costs through official channels. Consequently, there has been a significant decline in medical cannabis prescriptions, and the number of dispensaries has reached a record low in 2021. Although medical cannabis can be prescribed for various conditions, its high average cost of 5.5 Euro per gram has driven patients to seek alternative sources.
Coffee shops offer an alternative and convenient way to access non-medical cannabis at a lower cost. The discrepancy in variety between pharmacies and coffee shops has further attracted patients who are seeking a broader range of options. The decreasing number of patients obtaining prescription medical cannabis underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to ensure affordable and accessible medical cannabis in the Netherlands.
This article provides an in-depth examination of the current state of medical cannabis in the Netherlands and explores how patients are navigating the challenges and barriers to accessing medical cannabis.
