MS and medical cannabis: Legal status and usage in France and Spain

A topic of controversy, experimentation with medical cannabis divides and intrigues. But what do patients really think about it? We asked for Carenity members who are already using medical cannabis to express their opinions.

France and Spain, two countries with very different approaches to medical cannabis

In order to understand patient use of medical cannabis, we chose to analyse two countries with very different laws on the subject. France bans the cultivation, fabrication, transport, importation, exportation, possession, sale, and use of medical cannabis. The country only allows consumption of certain varieties of Cannabis sativa L. than contain less than 0.20% of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (a.k.a. "THC" - the compound behind the "high" that cannabis produces in many users). Spain forbids the sale or marketing of cannabis but permits citizens to cultivate the plant as long as the harvest is restricted to personal use and not sold to others.

Respondent profile

The patients who responded to our survey where mainly female (73%) with an average age of 47. On average, they were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 12 years ago. 

Most respondents are living with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). This type of MS is characterised by sudden apparitions of new symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms, known as relapses or attacks, followed by quiet periods of remission. These attacks may result in persistent health complications, even when the patient returns to a remission state. This is the most common form of the illness.

We also sought to measure the severity of symptoms among our respondents, in order to evaluate the link between the frequency of cannabis use and severity of symptoms. Only 5,5% of respondents said their illness was not severe; nearly 12% need to use a cane to get around and 73% suffer from spasticity directly attributable to their multiple sclerosis. 

The pain caused by multiple sclerosis

MS caused different levels of pain in our respondents. The average pain score is 4,1/10. 37% of respondents noted their pain at or over 6/10. 

Medical cannabis use

22% of respondents to our survey use some sort of medical cannabis. It should be noted that the legal status of medical cannabis doesn't seem to affect use, as numerous French respondents reported using it, despite noted difficulties in obtaining cannabis legally. On average, patients reported using it for at least 4 years. We also noted that men tended to use more than women. Consumption tended to rise in tandem with the patient-rated severity of MS symptoms.

Forms used

It seems that the laws in place, while not affecting the number of users in a country, do affect the form in which the cannabis is consumed: medication containing cannabis is legal in Spain and much more used than in France (41% vs 5%). The plant (and its resin) are consumed widely in both countries. 

Consumption frequency

We didn't find a significant difference in consumption frequency between the two countries: 70% used at least once a day (69% in France and 72% in Spain), 18% at least once a week, 5% at least once every 6 months et 5% did not use in the last 6 months.

Is medical cannabis effective?

Effects on general daily life

The respondents insisted on the positive effect of cannabis use not only on their general daily life (77%) but also their mood (66%) and their work, social, family and love lives (41%).

Cannabis effects on specific MS symptoms

Respondents indicated a relatively positive effects on the symptoms of MS, with a majority siting sleep disturbances and spasticity (76%) as well as sensitivity disorders (60%) and fatigue (56%). 68% of respondents are convinced that cannabis is better at combatting their pain than normal painkillers, and 65% reported uses fewer medications as a result. 75% said they did not feel dependent on cannabis: they noted no increase in consumption over time, neither in quantity nor in frequency.

Cannabis in the UK, legislation and legal grey areas

The United Kingdom authorised medical cannabis use in November 2018 for patients with an "exceptional need", however, obtaining legal access to medical cannabis remains problematic and GPs are prohibited from prescribing cannabis-based medications (only specialist consultants are permitted to do so). Sativex is currently the only approved cannabis-derived medicine in the UK and is indicated for the treatment of spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. The United Kingdom also permits the sale and consumption of CBD oil without a doctor's prescription, as long as it does not contain more than 0.2% THC.

On the national level, the UK prohibits the cultivation, transportation, importation or sale of cannabis.

What is the future of medical cannabis?

In both the UK and France, public and official perception of medical cannabis seems to be evolving in a positive direction. Although restrictions remain and France, in particular, suffers from a very uneven legal landscape, it appears that the medical benefits of cannabis use are set for further study and greater authorisation may well be in the future.

What is your opinion on medical cannabis use? Are you favourable to its complete legalisation? Have you already tried it yourself?