OBJECTIVES : Cannabis (marijuana) is the most commonly used illicit drug in Europe. However, FDA officials have warned people not to use any vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 2019. The legalization of medical cannabis rises worldwide and legal use in more than 20 countries, in 33 states in the US.We analyze the current status and prospects of medical use of cannabis.

METHODS : Literature analysis,collection of law requirements for prescribing of medical marijuana. Cost analysis.

RESULTS : In Australia medical cannabis have been approved since 2008. In US FDA have approved it for treatment of epilepsy since 2018. The pharmaceutical form of THC, has been approved as an appetite stimulant for AIDS patients, an antiemetic during chemotherapy in USA. The formulations of dronabinol are available in the US, Canada, and New Zealand by prescription. In the Netherlands, Malta, Croatia, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland medical marijuana was approved during 2016-2019. Nowadays three new drugs of medical cannabis are used in Poland, one of them is for multiple sclerosis. It costs per one patient 700 USD (2,500 PLN) in Poland.

CONCLUSIONS : Literature review showed that medical use of cannabis have been increasing. It was authorized in more than 20 countries. It established that the main approved indications are rare forms of epilepsy, autism, AIDS, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cancer (the side effects of chemotherapy). In the EU countries the main importer of cannabis is the Netherlands. Legal medical use of marijuana must stick to the process regulated by MoH of each country. The medical indications for the treatment of various diseases have increased significantly, but medical cannabis is an expensive treatment. Therefore, evidence-based data on effectivenessn safety of medical marijuana, it’s dosage, treatment duration is needed and prospective for the rational use of cannabis products to prevent addiction among young people and patients.