Adult-Use
Access via approval exemption from the Norwegian Medicines Agency. Hospital pharmacy distribution only.
Norway allows unregistered medical cannabis products (flowers and oils) containing more than 1% THC through an approval exemption process managed by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (DMP). Specialists must justify why other approved medicines are not suitable. Approved products are delivered via hospital pharmacy. If treatment is in a public hospital, costs are covered by health authorities; otherwise patients pay out-of-pocket.
In November 2016, Norway issued new guidelines regarding medical cannabis and approval exemptions.
Unregistered medical cannabis products containing more than 1% THC may be prescribed through an approval exemption, approved by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (DMP).
Specialists must provide a justification as to why other approved medicines are not suitable for the patient. Once DMP approves the exemption, the hospital pharmacy delivers the product, for which the pharmacy wholesaler must obtain a separate DMP import permit.
Who can prescribe: Specialist doctors, via an application for approval exemption to the DMP.
No official list of approved conditions. Patients who receive approval typically have severe pain and have exhausted all other forms of treatment.
Reimbursement: If a public hospital offers cannabis treatment, health authorities cover the cost. If treatment is offered outside a public hospital, patients pay out-of-pocket.
Approved products have included: Bedrocan flowers, magistral oils from Glostrup pharmacy (Denmark), and Stenocare oil drops.
Unregistered medical cannabis products available via exemption include:
All products are supplied through hospital pharmacies following DMP approval.
All medical cannabis is imported via licensed hospital pharmacy wholesalers following individual DMP approval exemptions.
No domestic production industry exists in Norway.
