Türkiye moves toward legalizing medical cannabis through pharmacy sales
Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has submitted a landmark healthcare reform bill that would legalize the controlled sale of medical cannabis products through pharmacies—marking the country’s first formal step toward regulated access to cannabis-derived medicines.
The 29-article proposal, titled “Bill on Amendments to Certain Health-Related Laws and Decree Law No. 663,” was introduced this week in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, according to AK Party Deputy Group Chair Leyla Sahin Usta.
Regulated Framework and Ministry Oversight
The bill establishes a tightly controlled framework for domestic cultivation, processing, and pharmacy-only sales of medical cannabis. Cultivation and harvesting will be regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, while the Ministry of Health will oversee processing, licensing, distribution, and sales.
Usta emphasized that sales would be limited to licensed pharmacies and tracked via an electronic monitoring system to ensure security and transparency.
Broader Health Reforms Included
Beyond cannabis, the bill also includes reforms related to special medical foods, requiring mandatory reporting through Türkiye’s pharmaceutical tracking system due to potential public health impacts.
Cannabis Legal Status in Transition
Currently, CBD products in Türkiye exist in a legal gray area, with strict restrictions on any substance containing THC. Only select medical cannabis products, such as Sativex, are available through special prescriptions. Hemp seed oil remains legal, but CBD possession can still pose legal risks under current law.
The proposed legislation represents the first comprehensive attempt to integrate cannabis-derived products into Türkiye’s legal healthcare framework.
A Cautious but Meaningful Shift
The bill positions medical cannabis within a broader health modernization effort, acknowledging both the plant’s narcotic risks and therapeutic potential. Türkiye would join a growing list of countries adopting regulated medical cannabis frameworks—albeit with a notably cautious, pharmacy-only distribution model.
The bill is now set for parliamentary debate and could significantly reshape Türkiye’s approach to cannabis and healthcare regulation if passed.
