Medical cannabis will now be available for free in the Sicily region, according to a decree signed last week by Sicilian health leader Ruggero Razza.
The cost of prescriptions, available to patients suffering from chronic pain, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, will be paid by the Sicilian regional government according to reports in Italian media.
The use of medical marijuana has been legal throughout Italy since 2013, but patients usually have to pay.
You must have a doctor's prescription and purchase the drug from an approved pharmacy that has permission to purchase it from a strictly controlled offer that is bred by the Italian army or import it from regulated growers outside Italy. Growing and selling marijuana is illegal and can land you in jail.
Possession is not a crime, but it remains punishable by a fine and the suspension of your driver's license and / or passport.
Last year, there was confusion over the legality of so-called 'cannabis light', a lighter form of cannabis, after it was nearly legalized in December. However, the proposed law was thrown overboard by the Italian senate at the last minute.
Sources include MerryJane (EN), TheLocal(EN)
