France considers marijuana-based drug

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PARIS, March 2 (UPI) -- The French government is considering legalizing a marijuana-based spray for muscle pain.

If Sativex becomes legal, it would be the first authorized use of medical marijuana in the country, Radio France Internationale reported Saturday. Sativex is already on the market in Britain, Spain and a number of other European countries.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine has asked the agency that regulates pharmaceutical drugs to examine Sativex. The drug is used as a nasal or mouth spray by people with multiple sclerosis.

Allowing marijuana for medical purposes or decriminalizing it is a controversial issue in France. The Greens, a minor party in the governing coalition, supports decriminalization and Education Minister Vincent Pelon suggested last year the issue should be discussed.