Cannabis oil is being released in 100 pharmacies across Belgium

Starting February 10th, if you want to buy CBD oil, you can go to the pharmacy without a prescription. “Our company already has about a hundred points of sale,” said Maxime Costa of Amophar, the company that markets CBD oil. Legally speaking, the product is in a gray zone. “We are required to put ‘not fit for consumption’ on the box.” he added.

Toxicologist Jan Tytgat argued in favor of the Australian model on cannabis-based medicines. “A doctor may prescribe CBD and THC if he can prove that other painkillers are not working. Australia is a developed country. People must dare to investigate that path.”

Visit our Hemp.im mobile application that is dedicated to marijuana news, cannabis stocks, hemp industry and the latest happenings in the cannabis market. 

CBD products to buy in pharmacies

As of February 10th, CBD oil consumers do not have to look for their salvation in CBD shops or shady sites on the Internet. They can just go to the pharmacy to get CBD oil or cannabidiol. The substance is one of the two main active ingredients in cannabis. CBD is attributed to having a calming and analgesic effect, and it does not make peopel high or stoned, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the other active ingredient in cannabis.

A safe alternative for pharmacists

“About a hundred pharmacists have already signed up,” said Maxime Costa of Amophar. “With CBD-Phar the industry wants to offer a controlled and safe alternative.” Amophar buys CBD in powder form in the US and has it mixed with coconut oil in Belgium. “Legally, the product has no statute. It’s not a drug, but the company produces it as if it was a drug. Moreover, with 0.025% THC, CBD-Phar contains much less than the permitted 0.2%.”

Demand for controlled CBD

“The demand for controlled CBD does exist,” said pharmacist Veronique Haghedooren, who is selling CBD-Phar as of today. “Often the consumers are people with chronic pain who have already tried many other painkillers. Many of them say that CBD oil has helped them.” The pharmacist said that she is not going to promote the product. “It’s not a panacea, and in my opinion it should only be available on prescription. If people want to buy it, I’ll advise them to first see a doctor or neurologist for advice.”

Cannabis medicine against serious pain

“Proponents said that CBD helps against spasms, epilepsy, chronic pains and much more,” said toxicologist Jan Tytgat. “The evidential value is not the same for all conditions, but it is not a placebo. Both CBD and THC have proven pharmacology. Based on the available literature, it seems that CBD would work better in tandem with THC, more than the permitted 0.2%. A drug-containing both substances would then have a greater chance of being used as a medicine.”

The toxicologist advocates an Australian model. “There, the doctors have to prove that the first-line drugs have been exhausted. Then, they can prescribe CBD and THC. Australia is a developed country. People must dare to investigate this path.” Consumers should be advised to use caution when purchasing and using over-the-counter CBD products which have not been evaluated by the FDA.

__

(Featured image by Caleb Simpson via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in N, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.