Poland legalises medical cannabis

Epilepsy, nausea caused by chemotherapy, chronic pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis are among ailments that can be treated

Polish pharmacists will be allowed to process imported cannabis into medicine (AFP/Getty)

Polish pharmacists will be allowed to treat people with cannabis after the drug was legalised for medicinal purposes.

Under new regulations that came into force on Wednesday cannabis from imported plants can be processed at Polish pharmacies - as long as it has been logged with the country's Office for Registration of Medical Products.

Pharmacists are already prepared to make the drugs, according to the Polish Pharmaceutical Chamber (PPC).

It added that specialist training would be available if necessary, according to Polish national radio.

A spokesman said: "Given the fact that there are nearly 15,000 pharmacies in Poland, an overwhelming majority is authorised to make prescription drugs – that’s around 90 percent.

"It is estimated that up to 300,000 patients could qualify for medical marijuana treatment."

The new laws will allow cannabis to be used to treat a wide range of ailments.

They include epilepsy, nausea caused by chemotherapy, chronic pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

A monthly course of treatment will cost about £418, the PPC said.