Medicinal Cannabis on Prescription in The Netherlands: Statistics for 2003–2016

In 2003, the Netherlands started one of the first National medicinal cannabis programs in the world, where patients are provided with pharmaceutical-grade cannabis of standardized cannabinoid composition. The program is overseen by the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC), which is part of the Ministry of Health, while cultivation, packaging, lab testing, and distribution are performed by contracted specialized companies. Medicinal cannabis is available on prescription only and can be dispensed by all Dutch pharmacies. Currently, five different cannabis strains are offered, including THC and CBD dominant varieties, as well as indica and sativa types.1 Medicinal cannabis is recommended in the Netherlands mainly for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, spasms and pain related to multiple sclerosis (MS), lack of appetite/nausea/vomiting related to cancer or HIV/AIDS, therapy-resistant glaucoma, and Tourette's syndrome.