A Historic Shift in Danish Health Policy
Denmark has cemented its commitment to medical cannabis, officially moving from a temporary pilot program to a permanent legal framework starting January 1, 2026.
The Danish Parliament passed Bill L135 in April 2025, formalising the country’s medical cannabis scheme after nearly eight years of trial operation. Initially launched in 2018, the program targeted patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, and chemotherapy-induced nausea—particularly when standard treatments had failed.
Yet the legislation wasn’t limited to those diagnoses. Danish doctors retained discretion to prescribe medical cannabis for other conditions where deemed medically appropriate, providing a broader safety net for patients in need.
From Pilot to Permanence
The pilot program was first set for four years, then extended in 2021 after demonstrating both public and political support. Late in 2024, Denmark’s Minister of the Interior and Health met with key stakeholders to evaluate the scheme’s future. The result was clear: the medical cannabis framework deserved permanence.
With Bill L135 now in place, the new law guarantees long-term access to medical cannabis while introducing several refinements to help physicians and regulators.
What’s New: Guidance, Driving Laws, and Cost-Sharing
One of the most significant changes is updated clinical guidance from the Danish Medicines Agency, designed to make prescribing easier and more consistent across the healthcare system. Meanwhile, the Danish Patient Safety Authoritywill revise the criteria used to determine driving eligibility for patients undergoing cannabis treatment—an issue that’s long been controversial.
There’s also a financial shift. Under the pilot, certain patients received up to 100% reimbursement for their medication. Under the new permanent framework, government subsidies will be capped at 50%, raising concerns about affordability for some.
Three Pathways for Prescribing Medical Cannabis
Even beyond the pilot scheme, Danish doctors have multiple legal routes to prescribe cannabis:
- Authorised medicines – Only Sativex and Epidyolex fall into this category.
- Compassionate use permits – These cover synthetic cannabinoid-based drugs like Marinol and Nabilone.
- Magistral preparations – Custom-made cannabis oils or capsules created in pharmacies (compounding pharmacies), tailored to individual patient needs.
This multifaceted system allows physicians to adapt treatment plans while complying with Danish regulations.
Industry Reaction: Confidence and Collaboration
Danish medical cannabis producer Stenocare, which actively participated in shaping the pilot, has welcomed the transition to permanence.
“The political approval provides reassurance and predictability for patients who may have been concerned about the future of their treatment,” the company said in a statement.
Stenocare emphasized its continued collaboration with regulatory agencies to ensure high safety standards and better clinical outcomes. The company is also working to expand its product offerings under the permanent regime.
Global Momentum: Denmark Joins the Next Wave
Denmark’s move comes amid a wave of global cannabis policy shifts. Rwanda is accelerating the development of its first major medical cannabis production facility, expected to come online in 2025. In the United States, a recent poll in Texasshows growing public support for marijuana legalisation, even as political leaders remain divided. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines for terminating a key federal cannabis potency research contract, adding uncertainty to the future of scientific study in the sector.
A New Era for Medical Cannabis in Denmark
With a stable legal foundation now in place, Denmark is setting a model for how cautious trial phases can evolve into long-term public health policy. As cannabis continues its global transition from controversial remedy to mainstream medicine, Denmark is proving that regulation, research, and access can go hand in hand.
