Italian parliament probes alleged intimidation of therapeutic cannabis patients

An inquiry has reached the Italian Chamber of Deputies concerning the alleged intimidation of patients undergoing treatment with therapeutic cannabis in the Piedmont region. Marco Grimaldi, a deputy from Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, has formally questioned the government about reports of citizens being summoned to police stations after purchasing or ordering legally prescribed medication.

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Human dignity and the protection of highly sensitive data are at stake.

These patients, some suffering from serious conditions like cancer, chronic pain, or neurological disorders, are reportedly interrogated about their therapy, their doctors, and their supply channels. In some instances, they have been asked to provide screenshots of private emails and messages. Grimaldi emphasized the gravity of these reports, stating, "Human dignity and the protection of highly sensitive data are at stake." He is demanding clarification from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health regarding the legal basis for identifying and summoning these patients and how their health data was acquired.

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We are talking about fragile individuals, cancer patients, patients with chronic pain or neurological conditions: citizens who have the right to be treated, not intimidated.

"We are talking about fragile individuals, cancer patients, patients with chronic pain or neurological conditions: citizens who have the right to be treated, not intimidated," Grimaldi added. "Therapeutic cannabis is a medicine, not a pretext to pressure those who legally take it." The deputy further denounced the methods used as potentially "invasive, disproportionate, and unacceptable," particularly citing cases where official records of the interrogations were not provided, stressing that law enforcement must operate within legal guarantees and not instill fear in those already facing illness.

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Therapeutic cannabis is a medicine, not a pretext to pressure those who legally take it.

Meanwhile, on the regional front in Piedmont, councilor Valentina Cera has announced a political initiative to amend regional law n. 11 of 2015. Cera, who brought the first case of a Turin resident being questioned by authorities after ordering therapeutic cannabis to light, aims to enable territorial pharmacies to dispense cannabinoid medicines covered by the regional health service. This change would overcome a system that currently creates inequalities, difficult travel, and obstacles to care. "We are not talking about liberalization or ideology," Cera clarified, "but about sick people who have the right to receive a doctor-prescribed medicine without facing a path full of obstacles."

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We are not talking about liberalization or ideology, but about sick people who have the right to receive a doctor-prescribed medicine without facing a path full of obstacles.