Translated from the website Health Europa

Ester Nafstad, manager of the Norwegian cannabis advocacy group Normal, speaks to the publication MCN about the chapter's goals and the need for cannabis policy reform in Norway.

Founded in 1994, Normal is the Norwegian branch of the international cannabis law reform campaign group NORML. Ester Nafstad, manager of Normal, tells MCN about the chapter's goals and the need for cannabis policy reform in Norway.

What are the main objectives of Norge Normal? What does Normal do to support patients and campaign for policy changes?

Our objectives include monitoring the development of cannabis legalization and decriminalization in other countries and participating in the debate and design of drug policies at home. Additionally, we strive to act as a resource for cannabis users and work for the rights of innocent victims of punitive policies or intrusive and undemocratic government sanctions.

Some examples of what we do include:

• Representing Norwegian cannabis users in parliamentary hearings;
• Facilitating cannabis research - we recently released an English report on the negative consequences of the current Norwegian law enforcement on cannabis;
• Publishing articles in our magazine På Høy Tid ('It's High Time');
• Framing different aspects of cannabis in the Norwegian media;
• Organizing open meetings and presentations where local people can participate;
• Working on creating local activist groups across the country; and
• Responding to a constant flow of questions from cannabis users.

What is the legal status of cannabis in Norway?

All recreational use of cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is legal, but still difficult to obtain.

A drug policy reform program is underway; it is expected to come into effect in early 2021. Once the reform, inspired by Portugal's drug policy, is implemented, all personal drug use and possession of small amounts for personal use will be decriminalized. The full details of these changes are not yet ready.

How has the law evolved since Normal was first established?

The law has remained practically the same, but public debate has evolved significantly - especially since 2010, when some scientists called for the legalization of cannabis. They argued that its status as an illegal drug led to a more harmful cannabis culture. Since then, more and more politicians have argued for legalization; and organizations like Normal and other advocacy groups have taken a larger role in the debate.

A petition signed by several organizations, politicians, and cannabis advocacy scientists was published in one of Norway's largest newspapers at the end of 2018, urging the government to stop punishing drug users: this prompted the Minister of Health to call for the decriminalization of all drugs in Norway. The reform was decided, and as mentioned above, is expected to be implemented next year.

What are the main challenges patients face when trying to access medical cannabis?

There is still little knowledge among doctors and other healthcare professionals when it comes to medical cannabis. Patients often report being met with suspicion after bringing up the topic of medical cannabis with their doctors.

A patient needs a recommendation from a specialist to receive a prescription: this is something that prolongs the process. The only patients who receive a recommendation are those who are severely ill, such as cancer patients or children with complicated epilepsy.

Typically, the financial cost of medications and healthcare is covered by the social welfare system, but this is not the case for medical cannabis. For some patients and families, the cost can reach 30,000 Norwegian kroner (~ €2,799) per month.

These challenges are causing most people who need medical cannabis to seek treatment in another European country, most commonly in the Netherlands. The Schengen Agreement allows European citizens to travel across borders with a supply of up to one month of prescribed medications; this means they need to make the trip once a month.

What changes would you like to see implemented in cannabis policy in Norway?

We believe that timely drug policy reform will address a number of issues: I hope it reduces the stigma associated with drug use and helps those who need it to be more accessible - but it will not do anything to resolve the problems associated with an unregulated criminal market.

In our advisory contribution to the government, we recommended additional measures to address these issues, for example, allowing the cultivation of cannabis for personal use or the introduction of cannabis social clubs, following the Spanish and Swiss models.

Do you think Scandinavian cannabis laws will become less strict in the future?

Yes, we believe that Scandinavian countries will find a more progressive way to deal with cannabis. The public debate on cannabis is advancing.