Turkish approves cannabis use law: Controlled use for health treatments wow legal

Ankara, Türkiye – July 20, 2025 — The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) has officially passed a new law allowing the controlled use of medical cannabis in the treatment of certain illnesses.

The legislation marks a significant step toward Türkiye's entry into the rapidly expanding global medical cannabis market, projected to reach $55 billion by 2027.

Under the newly adopted regulations, medical cannabis products will be available strictly by prescription and sold exclusively through licensed pharmacies. The production, licensing, and distribution of these products will be closely monitored by the Ministry of Health, while cannabis cultivation will fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in consultation with the Ministries of Interior and Health.

Cannabis for Medical Use

Medical cannabis has been recognized globally for its therapeutic potential in treating chronic pain, cancer-related symptoms, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain neurological conditions. With this new legislation, Türkiye aims to harness these benefits domestically while also reducing its reliance on imported treatments.

Global Models Studied

In drafting the law, Turkish officials studied best practices from Canada, the United States, and several European countries, which have established tightly regulated frameworks for medical cannabis cultivation and use.

The new law will allow Türkiye to begin producing its own medical cannabis-based pharmaceuticals, with full oversight of the production chain — from cultivation and manufacturing to licensing and patient monitoring.

Economic and Strategic Goals

Beyond public health benefits, the legislation is seen as a strategic economic move. Türkiye seeks to become a competitive player in the international medical cannabis industry, leveraging export opportunities and reducing dependency on costly imported pharmaceuticals.

Officials state that this move will promote value-added production, encourage investment in domestic biotechnology, and increase exports, all while creating new employment opportunities in agriculture and health sectors.

With this legislative breakthrough, Türkiye positions itself as an emerging actor in a high-growth sector, combining public health policy with long-term economic ambition.