Poll: "Majority of Danes are positive towards legalization of cannabis"

When asked whether cannabis should be legalized in Denmark under state control, 54 percent say yes, 28 percent say no, while the remaining 18 percent say "don't know," according to a recent Norstat poll published in Berlingske of 1,001 people representing a representative sample of the adult Danish population. Compared to previous opinion polls, the number of positive statements is growing. A growing recognition among the population that some of the many ingredients in the cannabis plant can have a healing, pain-relieving, or calming effect.

In Germany, Europe's most populous country, politicians are currently considering a proposal to legalize cannabis under regulated conditions. According to renowned media sources, a governmental assessment states that the German state can earn 4-5 billion euros annually from implementing legalization. At the same time, Canadian and American cannabis companies are investing heavily in Europe, where a future market could be larger than the North American market and generate significant profits. Representatives from the cannabis industry in Denmark are carefully following the development south of the border.  

Jeppe Krog Rasmussen, CEO of DanCann Pharma, comments: "Germany is not just Europe's largest economy, but also the EU's most important "influencer," and according to the industry, legalization there will be of decisive importance. Our German neighbors are often the forerunners of new measures, which are subsequently widely spread to the rest of the continent. And it is also our clear expectation that this will happen in the cannabis area, and that Germany can play a decisive role and start a domino effect for the rest of Europe in connection with further acceptance and legalization of cannabis."

In Denmark, medical cannabis is produced according to standards known from the pharmaceutical industry and subject to extensive quality control by the Danish Medicines Agency. Medical cannabis is a prescription-only "medicine" that doctors prescribe to treat, for example, pain or discomfort in connection with chemotherapy, sclerosis, or other diseases. One of the things producers must deal with is the widespread stigmatization, which for many years has been a heavy burden for the cannabis industry.

Rasmussen elaborates: "The stigma is a big challenge, but as more and more studies document the positive effects of cannabis and cannabinoids in various contexts, there are clear signs of general acceptance from patients, professionals, and NGOs, which increasingly recognize cannabis and cannabinoids as a real alternative to traditional and conventional treatment options. However, there is still some way to go towards acceptance and recognition."

"The societal challenge is that 80% of the patients buy their medication containing cannabis on the illegal market without the guarantee of quality, effect, and contents. And there are several (not particularly good) reasons why this is still the case."

Rasmussen comments: "Treatment with medical cannabis is quite expensive, and the possibilities for subsidies are limited compared to treatment with conventional medicine. It hits the patients hard, especially because the majority are not that financially strong and may even be on an early or disability pension. There is also still some reluctance among general practitioners, who hesitate to prescribe medical cannabis to patients, usually because they are not sufficiently trained and informed about forms of treatment, effects, and side effects. And since medical cannabis is not recognized as a medicine (so-called "alternative" and a "non-registered medicine"), it is the doctor himself who is responsible for the effect – and potential side effects – of the product. It is a burdensome task that requires time and lots of patience to untie."

Rasmussen concludes: "All forms of legalization and easing of regulatory conditions, which provide easier access for patients and consumers, help to create a strong incentive for companies in – and close to – the industry. And just over the last year, the manufacturers have noticed a markedly greater interest both among investors and among the many patients who hope for easier and cheaper access to the products. The industry is thus experiencing an increased form of acceptance, regardless of whether it is about pharma/biotech, medical cannabis, or cannabis for adult use."