Slovakia approves THC, but shuns 'medical marijuana'

Slovakia on Tuesday approved the use of THC, the major chemical compound in marijuana, for medical purposes, but stopped short of giving a green light to "medical marijuana", officials said.

"The law enables medical companies to register drugs that include the (THC) molecules, have passed all the clinical tests and their medical effect has been proven," Health Minister Ivan Uhliarik said in a press release.

"This is not a decriminalisation of marijuana in any case and I absolutely rule out that marijuana growing for medical use will be legalised in the future," he added.

The use and possesion of marijuana is illegal in Slovakia and perpetrators face up to five years in prison.

tab/mas/gk