# Can you get medical cannabis on prescription in Norway?

Obtaining a prescription for medical cannabis in Norway remains extremely difficult under current regulations. The medication category is classified as "experimental treatment," which discourages most doctors from prescribing it unless part of a clinical study.

However, some options do exist depending on the type of physician:

**General practitioners (GPs) can prescribe the following (without reimbursement):**
- Sativex and Epidyolex (approved cannabis-based medicines)
- CBMP products containing less than 1% THC (exemption via the Norwegian Medicines Agency)
- Products with less than 10 mg/ml THC (considered equivalent to less than 1%)

For a detailed overview of available options, see *"Types of medical cannabis available in Norway."*

GPs can also provide a referral letter for patients to consult foreign doctors regarding medical cannabis as a potential treatment. A template for this referral is available on the Norwegian Medicines Agency's website (link in comments).

**Specialists working in hospitals** (both public and private) can prescribe all cannabis-based products. Prescriptions from public hospitals qualify for cost reimbursement under the H-prescription scheme, though many public hospitals have stopped issuing these prescriptions to reduce expenses. If prescribed by a specialist at a private hospital, the patient must cover the full cost.

Both Sativex and Epidyolex are approved medicines in Norway. Sativex is indicated for MS-related spasms, while Epidyolex is approved for Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis. These medications can also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Costs are covered under the H-prescription scheme if prescribed by a public hospital specialist (Sativex was added to this scheme on February 1, 2021, and Epidyolex on August 1, 2018). If prescribed by other doctors, patients must pay out of pocket.

Pricing for these medications typically starts at around NOK 900 for dried plant material and NOK 4,000 or more for oils.

**Conditions approved for exemption by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (as of 2023):**

| Condition                  | CBD | CBD/THC | THC |
|----------------------------|-----|---------|-----|
| ADHD                       | ✓   |         |     |
| Appetite stimulation       |     |         | ✓   |
| Autism                     | ✓   |         |     |
| Hypertension              | ✓   |         |     |
| Crohn’s disease            |     |         | ✓   |
| Cluster/migraine/headache  | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| CRPS                       |     |         | ✓   |
| Epilepsy                   | ✓   |         |     |
| Fatigue/ME                 |     |         | ✓   |
| Fibromyalgia              | ✓   |         |     |
| Hiccups                    | ✓   |         |     |
| Cancer-related             | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Nausea                     | ✓   |         |     |
| Palliative care            |     | ✓       |     |
| ME                         | ✓   |         |     |
| Multiple sclerosis         | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Muscular dystrophy         |     |         | ✓   |
| Palliative care            |     |         | ✓   |
| Parkinson’s disease        | ✓   |         |     |
| Psoriasis                  | ✓   |         |     |
| Psychiatric conditions     |     |         | ✓   |
| PTSD                       | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Low platelet count         | ✓   |         |     |
| Restless legs syndrome    | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Rheumatism                | ✓   |         |     |
| Complex conditions         |     |         | ✓   |
| Schizophrenia             | ✓   |         |     |
| Tremors                    | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Pain                       | ✓   | ✓       | ✓   |
| Spasms/cramps              | ✓   | ✓       | ✓   |
| Stress/anxiety            | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Wound healing              | ✓   |         |     |
| Sleep disorders            | ✓   |         | ✓   |
| Tics                       |     |         | ✓   |
| Tourette’s syndrome        |     |         | ✓   |

**Key sources:**
- [Regulations on the requisition of prohibited narcotics and certain medicines for human use - Lovdata](https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2022-09-22-1630)
- [Cannabis treatment under current regulations - Norwegian Medicines Agency](https://www.dmp.no/godkjenningsfritak/for-leger-og-tannleger/legemidler-det-ofte-er-sporsmal-om-ved-godkjenningsfritak/behandling-med-cannabis-innenfor-dagens-regelverk)
- [Bringing medicines into Norway - Norwegian Medicines Agency](https://www.dmp.no/tilvirkning-import-og-salg/import-av-legemidler-til-personlig-bruk/legemidler-pa-reise-inn-til-norge#Legemidler-med-narkotiske-virkestoffer-3)

The sections on *"Medicines with narcotic substances"* and *"CBD (cannabidiol)"* are particularly relevant.
