‘We, The Patients’: Promoting patient-centred education on medical cannabis

We present ‘We, The Patients’, a project that aims not only to inform and educate, but also to empower medical cannabis patients by providing them with direct access to reliable, evidence-based information on the therapeutic use of this plant. This collaborative approach is part of a broader effort to improve medical cannabis laws and regulations in Europe. Here we explain everything there is to know about this initiative.

‘We, The Patients’ has arisen from the need to achieve a more patient-centred approach within the medical cannabis space, all thanks to a platform that has grown from online meetings to in-person events that seek to facilitate a powerful and well-informed community of patients. Through a series of webinars and events, ‘We, The Patients’ aims to help shape an environment where patients not only receive information, but also get to share their experiences and knowledge, contributing to a virtuous cycle of learning and mutual support.

Join their highlight event in Zurich

Following the successful launch of the platform in Madrid last October, at an event that brought together many affected people and offered valuable information on the medical use of cannabis, ‘We, The Patients’ will host their first international event in Switzerland on 1st March at the Resident Zürich Seefeld. The event, which will be held from 12 to 4 pm, will focus specifically on how cannabis can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. Access will be free of charge to ensure that no one is excluded for financial reasons.

The Swiss event will include personalities such as Franziska Quadri, president of the MEDCAN patient group (Medical Cannabis Verein Schweiz), who will open the event with an introduction to the ‘We, The Patients’ initiative. She will then be joined by the renowned German cannabis expert, Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen, who will discuss the therapeutic use of marijuana for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis. MEDCAN Vice President Simon Winistörfer will also share his personal experience on multiple sclerosis and medical cannabis treatment, while Dr. Nicolai Berardi will shed light on the current legal framework and explain the arduous road that currently stretches all the way from diagnosis to the prescription of medical marijuana.

Unfortunately, if you want to be treated with cannabis in Switzerland, you’ll currently find it difficult to get support from medical professionals. Although the Swiss Federal Narcotics Law was amended in August 2022 to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis without first having to apply for a government permit, access remains limited, and knowledge and understanding of cannabis among the medical profession remain very low.

In fact, the current number of Swiss patients is believed to be under 10,000; and many still have difficulties accessing the products that they need because of high cost and low availability. That is why this event in the Alpine country is so special, as it offers an opportunity to learn about the therapeutic use of cannabis for patients and from the point of view of patients.

Vision and objectives of a highly commendable initiative

The vision of ‘We, The Patients’ is to create a continuous cycle of events that not only address current issues in the medical cannabis field, but also establish a sustainable platform for education and ongoing support for the patient community. This includes empowerment through knowledge, the promotion of the exchange of stories and experiences, and the development of an active and empathetic support network.

The support to ‘We, The Patients’ is pretty remarkable, especially due to the strict regulations that limit advertising and promotion of cannabis as a therapeutic option. By supporting these events, we not only show our commitment to patient education and corporate social responsibility, but we also help to highlight potential cannabis-based therapies and to create content with a wide reach both nationally and internationally.

Following the Zurich event, ‘We, The Patients’ plans another series of additional get-togethers throughout the year, each dedicated to different topics where cannabis has the potential to offer significant therapeutic solutions. We’d like to invite all those interested in understanding more about medical cannabis to participate in these educational events. Because together we can advance the understanding and acceptance of the multiple properties of this plant, offering new hope and options to patients all across Europe.

Registration and more information, here.