Police in Bosnia detained several persons on Thursday who they suspect were involved in the illegal trade in cannabis oil, which prompted a discussion in the public on whether the use of cannabis for medical purposes should be legalised.

Authorities suspect the group of ten people of unauthorized production and trade in illicit drugs, disclosure of official secrets and abuse of position or authority.

Among the suspects are two businessmen, a police official and a former local official in the Zenica-Doboj Canton.

The arrests, however, also put focus on the discussion of whether cannabis oil should be legalised.

One of those who commented on the issue is Bosnia’s ambassador in Prague, Martina Mlinarevic.

“Those who never needed cannabis oil have no idea what cannabis oil means and what its legalization means for those who need it, for every diagnosis of cancer and MS, and what these patients go through,” she wrote on Twitter.

Tko nije trebao kanabisovo ulje, taj nema pojma šta znači kanabisovo ulje i legalizacija istog za onoga kome je nasušno potrebno, za svaku onu dijagnozu karcinoma i MS, te šta prolaze spomenuti pacijenti.

— Martina Mlinarević (@MartinaMlinare1) March 31, 2022

Sasa Magazinovic, a member of Bosnia’s House of Representatives and one of the MPs who submitted a proposal to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes, also stated his opinion.

“Without any judgement regarding today's police action, I repeat my earlier position that the urgent legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes is necessary. Cannabis oil is a cure and salvation for many,” he said.