Conditions for Medical Use of Marijuana in Poland – Aspects of Administrative Law

Abstract

Since the criminalization of the use of marijuana in Poland, introduced in 1985, various controversies and understatements have been taking place, as a result of which it was punishable to use this substance also for medical purposes. Th subject of the article is the analysis and assessment of administrative and legal solutions adopted by the legislator, in particular changes from November 1, 2017, formally permitting the legal marketing of marijuana as a pharmaceutical raw material, as well as its use in the treatment and alleviation of symptoms accompanying specific diseases. Th issues discussed were presented on the basis of European law, current legal regulations contained, among others, in the Pharmaceutical act of September 6, 2001, and in the act on counteracting Drug addiction of July 25, 2005, as well as regulations issued on their basis. In the final part of the article, de lege lata, proposals of factual and legal solutions are presented, aimed at actually facilitating the medical use of marijuana to patients.