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Do you lose your driver’s license if prescribed medical cannabis in Norway?
In most cases, patients in Norway automatically lose their driver’s license when prescribed medical cannabis. However, there are exceptions, and it is possible to apply to the county medical officer for an exemption. Below, we explain the current regulations in more detail.
When discussing medical cannabis (MC) and driving privileges, it’s important to distinguish between "registered cannabis medicines" (RCL) and "cannabis-based medical products" (CBMP). Currently, only two RCL products—Epidyolex and Sativex—are available on the Norwegian market. CBMPs are medical cannabis products that meet strict standardization requirements, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), meaning their active ingredient content is precisely known, similar to RCL medications. Illegally sold CBD products online do not meet GMP standards, are not prescribed, and fall under health supplement regulations in neighboring countries. The following discussion focuses solely on prescribed medical products.
Below is a list of medical cannabis products currently prescribed in Norway 1. THC is the compound that can cause intoxication at high doses and is the primary concern for driving regulations, while CBD has no psychoactive effects. Both compounds have medical benefits.
Registered cannabis medicines (RCL)
- Sativex: Oral spray extract containing 27 mg THC and 25 mg CBD per ml.
- Epidyolex: Oral spray extract containing 100 mg/ml CBD.
Cannabis-based medical products with GMP standard 2 (CBMP)
- Bediol: Dried plant material; 63 mg THC and 80 mg CBD per gram.
- Bedrocan: Dried plant material; 220 mg THC and ≤ 10 mg CBD per gram.
- Bedica: Dried plant material; 140 mg THC and ≤ 10 mg CBD per gram.
- Bedrobinol: Dried plant material; 135 mg THC and ≤ 10 mg CBD per gram.
- Bedrolite: Dried plant material; ≤ 10 mg THC and 75 mg CBD per gram.
- Glostrup drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 20 mg/ml CBD
- Glostrup drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 50 mg/ml CBD
- Glostrup drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 100 mg/ml CBD
- Glostrup drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 300 mg/ml CBD
- Adven drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 50 mg/ml CBD
- Adven drops: ≤ 1 mg THC and 10 mg/ml CBD
- Adven drops: 10 mg/ml THC and 10 mg/ml CBD
- Adven drops: 20 mg/ml THC and ≤ 1 mg CBD
- Stenocare drops: 2 mg/ml THC and 20 mg/ml CBD
- Stenocare drops: 30 mg/ml THC and 0.1 mg/ml CBD
- Stenocare drops: 15 mg/ml THC and 22.5 mg/ml CBD
- Stenocare Astrum drops: 10 mg/ml THC and 10 mg/ml CBD
Patients prescribed Sativex or Epidyolex may retain their driver’s license if the prescription is issued by a hospital specialist (the regulation specifies "registered cannabinoid medicine"). However, if the same medication is prescribed by a general practitioner, the license is revoked under current rules.
There are 11 CBMP medications with THC levels equal to or lower than those in Sativex, including several CBD-dominant products (≤ 1 mg THC) that cannot cause intoxication. Yet, under current regulations, all patients using these medications lose their driving privileges. The regulation states: "Any other use of cannabinoid medicines is incompatible with operating a motor vehicle," which applies to all CBMPs.
Revoking a driver’s license is a severe measure. Seriously ill individuals, already facing social isolation, become even more cut off when denied the ability to drive. It is crucial to carefully assess whether such restrictions are necessary. Stopp lidelsen advocates for revising Norway’s driving regulations on medical cannabis to align with other European countries and evidence-based research.
Emerging research suggests that regular medical cannabis use, including THC, is generally compatible with driving in most cases. Neighboring countries address this by advising patients not to drive if they feel impaired and to wait several hours after consuming high-THC products—similar to Norway’s approach with other medications.
Stopp lidelsen has consulted two researchers specializing in cannabis and driving impairment. They highlight the following key studies:
- Effect of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Driving Performance
- Does acute cannabidiol (CBD) use impair performance? A meta-analysis
- ICADTS-FactSheets
Norway’s current regulations can be found here. Unlike in neighboring countries, Norwegian doctors are legally required to report patients using medical cannabis to authorities—even if it does not impair driving ability—risking their medical license if they fail to comply.