The use of cannabis as a medicine, or therapeutic cannabis , has also been introduced in Italy in recent years. But in which cases can this type of therapy be used and with what precautions?
In particular, we are talking about “ Cannabis FM-2 ” (containing THC 5-8% and CBD 7.5-12%), produced in Italy in compliance with European directives on medicinal products on the basis of a production process controlled and carried out in a pharmaceutical plant authorised (the Military Institute of Florence) by AIFA - Italian Medicines Agency. Distribution is authorised by the State Cannabis Agency, active at the Ministry of Health. In addition, for several years, some pharmacies in Italy have already been producing other formulations with THC concentrations of up to 19% as a galenic product.
The treatment can be done orally, as a decoction or by taking oil, or by inhalation using specific vaporizers. Although the dosage is at the discretion of the doctor, it is recommended to always start with minimal doses, and then adjust according to the reactions of the individual. If you choose to administer these cannabinoid drugs orally, the doctor will also have to take care to indicate the amount of water to use, the times and methods of preparing the decoction.
Cannabis can be used as a medicine when you need to relieve pain (oncological and otherwise) and chronic disorders associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. It can be indicated to deal with some adverse effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or some HIV therapies. It can also be prescribed for rheumatic diseases (arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia) or neuropathies. Furthermore, cannabis is effective as an appetite stimulant in cachexia, anorexia or in cancer patients. For the same purpose, it can be prescribed to patients with AIDS. Medical cannabis can also be used to lower blood pressure in cases of glaucoma that is resistant to conventional therapies. Furthermore, it can reduce involuntary body and facial movements in Gilles syndrome.
It can be prescribed by hospital doctors in the departments of anesthesia, pain therapy centers, neurology, infectious diseases, oncology, ophthalmology, rheumatology, radiotherapy, psychiatry and palliative care. The therapy will last six months, renewable, and the first prescription will be made inside the hospital after which the patient will receive a red prescription that cannot be repeated even by the family doctor.
