Turkish Parliament Legalizes Medical Cannabis Sales

ANKARA – In a pivotal decision, the Turkish Parliament has passed a groundbreaking law establishing the controlled sale of low-THC medical cannabis products in licensed pharmacies, representing a transformative shift in the nation’s healthcare system. The legislation, titled “Amendments to Certain Health-Related Laws and Decree Law No. 663,” was approved on July 20, 2025. The goal is to provide patients with access to cannabis-derived treatments for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, cancer, chemotherapy side effects, multiple sclerosis, and psychological disorders.

The new law outlines a tightly regulated framework for cultivating, processing, and distributing medical cannabis products with less than 0.3% THC, ensuring they have no psychoactive effects. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will oversee cultivation, while the Ministry of Health will manage processing, licensing, and pharmacy sales. An electronic monitoring system will track all products to ensure safety and compliance, positioning Turkey alongside global leaders in medical cannabis, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Israel.

However, the legislation has sparked heated debate. The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has raised concerns over potential public health risks, warning that insufficient scientific evidence and lax regulation could lead to misuse. Despite these claims, the bill’s proponents argue that stringent controls and medical supervision requirements will prevent non-medical use.

This legislation builds on Turkey’s 2016 legalization of limited cannabis-based medications, like Sativex, expanding industrial hemp cultivation to 19 provinces. With the pharmaceutical cannabis market projected to reach $34 million in 2025, this Law positions Turkey as an emerging player in the global medical cannabis industry.