Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “If we do not want our streets to smell like cannabis, as in the U.S. and Canada, this historic mistake must be reversed.”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan has expressed his serious concerns regarding the legal regulation that paves the way for the production of cannabis for medical purposes, which is currently on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), in a letter addressed to TBMM President Prof. Numan Kurtulmuş.
The bill, which introduces regulations in the field of health, passed the TBMM Health Committee and was moved to the General Assembly’s agenda. According to the proposal, medical products derived from cannabis, as well as health and wellness products, will be made available to patients only under the condition that they are sold in pharmacies.
In his letter addressed to the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Prof. Numan Kurtulmuş, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan expressed his serious societal concerns about the legal regulation allowing for the production of cannabis for medical purposes.
Cannabis is frequently used as the first choice by 'substance-dependent' patients
The letter to TBMM President Prof. Numan Kurtulmuş highlighted the potential dangers of the law. Prof. Tarhan stated: “According to information obtained from the press, the Cannabis Law is about to be brought before our esteemed Parliament for enactment. The industrial advantages of cannabis production are known. However, for clinical applications, even in reduced doses and formulations, the high risks are also well known. Cannabis is frequently used as the first substance of choice by ‘substance-dependent’ patients. These patients are among the most difficult to manage for clinicians working in the field of addiction.”
This law has the potential to increase violence in healthcare
In his letter, Prof. Tarhan stated that the patients who most frequently exhibit violent behavior in outpatient clinics and emergency rooms belong to this group, noting: “This law has the potential to increase ‘violence in healthcare.’ There is a causal link between the frequency of substance use in this group and rising rates of domestic violence, the destruction of the family institution, and declining fertility and marriage rates. Statistics show that over 50% of individuals involved in crime are mixed substance users. These individuals are currently among those most effectively monitored by the Probation System. If this law passes, the hand of the probation system will be weakened.”
Even under the name of medical cannabis, this practice will cause a surge in demand
Prof. Tarhan also expressed his concern that the “Supply Reduction” efforts carried out by the Ministry of Interior would be severely disrupted by the new regulation. “While 'Demand Reduction' efforts, which are known as primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in addiction, are more crucial, this implementation, even under the name of medical cannabis, will lead to a 'demand explosion.’ A new tangle of problems will be placed in the hands of at-risk youth and their families who will say, ‘but it’s legal anyway.’ The 'Probation' efforts carried out by the Ministry of Justice will become inoperable. Because patients currently avoid use out of fear that a positive THC (cannabis) result in a urine test could lead to arrest,” he said.
"It would be a historic mistake!"
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Germany, the latest country to pass such a law, essentially admitted its inability to control the situation by saying, “Since we cannot control it anyway, let’s at least allow controlled use.” He expressed his concerns about the societal impact and potential addiction epidemic in Türkiye through the lens of academic literature, emphasizing how such a process would put the country in a difficult position:
“CBD oil” may be medicinal. It is widely used in oncological pain treatment and by neurologists. It is recommended for neurological conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Its use for cancer pain and childhood epilepsy, like that of opium or morphine, can be appropriately regulated under existing and recommended legislation. International academic literature shows that legalizing medical cannabis is a complex issue, with both potential benefits and significant risks. Just as morphine-like medications are imported, this can also be supplied by the same method. It is reasonable to consider treatment for a thousand patients. However, ignoring the risk of triggering a “global addiction epidemic” in Türkiye, along with sociopsychological damage, cultural disintegration, and erosion of values, would be a “historic mistake.” Studies conducted following legalization have reported that substance use disorders increased by 25% on average, and according to the UN, by 33%. Chronic homelessness rose by 35%, and incarceration rates increased by 13%, all documented in literature.
“If we do not want our streets to smell like cannabis as in the U.S. and Canada, we must think again!”
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that since the proposal has not yet become law, this presents an opportunity for a thorough assessment and additional precautions. “For the sake of public health and the future of society, a gradual and strictly controlled approach based on scientific evidence must be adopted. A substance that has one benefit and nine harms is not a medicine, but it is poison. Even if cannabis is diluted, it should be treated like morphine.” He continued: “Instead of encouraging domestic recreational cannabis production, medicinal cannabis should be manufactured in pharmaceutical form. Falling into the trap of those who act with ‘a capitalist lust for profit’ and contributing to ‘the sanctification of hedonism’ must be avoided. I urge our Grand National Assembly to be sensitive and avoid becoming a party to ‘the normalization of the harmful.’ If we do not want our streets to smell like cannabis, as they do in the U.S. and Canada, we must reconsider.”
“It will lead to a shift in perception toward the normalization of use”
Referring to the Regulation dated 13 September 2024 and numbered 32661, which permits the industrial production of cannabis, Prof. Tarhan added: “The expectation of irrational competition and the production of cannabis in pharmaceutical form will significantly impact families and social life, causing a change in perception toward the normalization of use. Parents’ resistance toward their children will be completely broken. This is a grave moral responsibility.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)