Homepage > Research abstracts > Medical Cannabis Policies: An analysis of the current situation and development of a framework for decision-making
Medical Cannabis Policies: An analysis of the current situation and development of a framework for decision-making
Researchers: Sharon Sznitman1, Maya Negev1, Simon Vulfsons2, Eyal Jacobsen3
- University of Haifa
- Technion
- Ministry of Health
Background: Cannabis is a promising anti-emetic and analgesic medication and approximately 33,000 patients in Israel use Medical Cannabis (MC).
Yet controversies related to MC policies are rampant.
Yet controversies related to MC policies are rampant.
Objectives: 1. To examine the MC policy development processes that have taken place so far in order to understand the main barriers to advance coherent and detailed national policy regulations and guidelines.
2. Determine empirically the extent of expert agreement related to MC policies.
2. Determine empirically the extent of expert agreement related to MC policies.
Method: A qualitative study, document analysis, and a Policy Delphi study.
Data were analyzed with a content analysis of archive data and in-depth interviews with stakeholders.
Consensus and support were calculated in the Policy Delphi survey.
Data were analyzed with a content analysis of archive data and in-depth interviews with stakeholders.
Consensus and support were calculated in the Policy Delphi survey.
Findings: In policy documents and interviews, most stakeholders argued that cannabis should be medicalized as a medication by relying on the bio-medical model.
Through 2 rounds of Policy Delphi, we found 5 MC policy statements that achieved high consensus and ratings for support and feasibility were high.
The items that reached the highest consensus and high support/feasibly ratings were related to bio-medicalization.
At the same time, there was also relatively large support for certain items that would move towards making MC more accessible to patients.
Through 2 rounds of Policy Delphi, we found 5 MC policy statements that achieved high consensus and ratings for support and feasibility were high.
The items that reached the highest consensus and high support/feasibly ratings were related to bio-medicalization.
At the same time, there was also relatively large support for certain items that would move towards making MC more accessible to patients.
Conclusions: Certain aspects of bio-medicalization are supported and deemed feasible. Albeit more limited, there is also support for making MC more accessible.
The government resolution #1,587 will move the sales of MC from growers to pharmacies and more physicians will be able to prescribe MC after completion of MC courses led by the MoH.
The reform also establishes guidelines or standardization of MC products. All of these changes were supported by the policy expert panel.
The government resolution #1,587 will move the sales of MC from growers to pharmacies and more physicians will be able to prescribe MC after completion of MC courses led by the MoH.
The reform also establishes guidelines or standardization of MC products. All of these changes were supported by the policy expert panel.
Recommendations: The study provides important information on stakeholder consensus and areas of disagreement regarding various aspects of MC policies.
This can be used in decision making context regarding the future of Israeli MC policies.
This can be used in decision making context regarding the future of Israeli MC policies.
Research number: A/131/2015
Research end date: 12/2018