Associations are highlighted in the meeting of the Medicinal Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Parliamentary Front of Pernambuco

During meeting of the Parliamentary Front of Medicinal Cannabis and Industrial Hemp, representatives of cannabis associations in Pernambuco shared the difficulties faced and significant advances in the field of medicinal cannabis. The meeting, held on Monday (26) at the State Legislative Assembly, was mediated by Deputy João Paulo, author of Bill No. 1003/2024, which proposes the creation of a state policy for the free supply of cannabis-based medicines and derivatives for medicinal use.

Hélida Lacerda, president of the Medicinal Alliance, which currently serves more than six thousand families, began the discussion by pointing out the importance of associations. "Associations emerged out of necessity. We faced a lot of prejudice and judgment. We fought against criminalization and, today, we have a judicial authorization to cultivate cannabis in Brazil".

Diogo Dias, president of AMME Medicinal, highlighted the advances in the cannabis agenda: "We have seen times when there were no prescribing professionals. Today, we are acquiring equipment, offering qualifications, and providing expertise so that, anywhere in the country, anyone who wants to open an association can 'skip steps'". According to Dias, all internal documents and processes of the association, from production to distribution of medicines, are public and can be freely shared.

Robson Freire, president of Medical Agreste, reported the invitations received to occupy spaces and give lectures on cannabis in churches and in the Military Police of Pernambuco. He also emphasized the importance of activists and the March of Marijuana, which brought cannabis to the center of the debate, in addition to mentioning the vote in the Supreme Federal Court to decriminalize the use of the plant.

Lawyer Pedro Lopes, representative of the Institute of Social and Economic Research of Cannabis (Instituto Ficus), and Karla Baêta, director of the Pernambuco State Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Apevisa), emphasized the need to regulate the production and distribution of cannabis, stating that it is possible to create effective regulations in Brazil.

During the open session, Érica Moury, 48 years old, retired civil servant and diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, shared her story: "I understand pain; since 2014, I have used various medications, but none helped, the pain did not go away. I even thought about suicide. Fifteen days after starting to use cannabis, my life changed; the pain decreases more and more, cannabidiol really works".

"In my community, we have patients who take up to 70 pills a day, the despair is enormous. Many are afraid because doctors do not accept and have prejudice against cannabis", Érica added. Other patients also reported how cannabis improved their quality of life and emphasized the need to democratize access to plant-based medications, supporting cannabis associations and their distribution by the SUS.

The meeting also included members of the Brazilian Bar Association in Pernambuco (OAB-PE), the Public Defender's Office of Pernambuco (DPPE), and the Center for Addiction Prevention, among other entities.