Ceará Association granted judicial authorization to cultivate and produce cannabis products

Founded in 2022, the Free and Medicinal Cannabis Patients Association of Ceará (Acalme-CE) recently obtained a judicial authorization to plant, cultivate, and produce cannabis-derived products for medicinal purposes. The unanimous decision of the Sixth Panel of the Federal Regional Court of the 5th Region granted the request made by the association in August 2023.

With the authorization, the association from Capistrano, a city in the interior of Ceará with around 20,000 inhabitants, is now able to produce medications for its 50 members. "We faced many obstacles. This authorization represents a new phase for the association. It is a great responsibility to have the trust of the judiciary and authorities in our work," said Marcelo Guilherme, co-founder of Acalme-CE.

Acalme-CE is the first in Ceará to obtain legal cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. In September, the Tijucanna Therapeutic Cannabis Association, from Minas Gerais, also received permission to cultivate and produce plant-based medications.

Support for Patients

Tati Sousa, mother of Pedro, 6 years old, celebrates the results of the cannabis treatment. "In one week, the oil made conventional therapies unnecessary for six months." Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Pedro has been a cannabis patient for about a year and has shown significant improvements in his socialization.

"Before, he was always clinging to me, afraid. Today, there are still some limitations, but the autonomy and independence he gained are visible," said Tati, a resident of Quixeramobim, Ceará.

Prior to treatment with Acalme-CE, Pedro did not respond to basic commands and did not even react when hearing his name. “I had already accepted that he would not make certain advances, but cannabis changed that reality,” said Tati.

As the president of the Association of Relatives and Friends of Autistics of Quixeramobim (AFAAQ), Tati talks about a partnership with Acalme-CE, which even funded the treatment of 10 autistic patients. “Acalme-CE was the first institution to lend us a hand, facilitating access to the oil,” she emphasized.

This collaboration was a "turning point" for many mothers, bringing significant improvements to their children. “The impact was significant at school, at home, and among the patients' families,” said Tati.

Expansion and Future

Marcelo Guilherme explains that the association already has a support sector, cultivation space, partner doctors, and a laboratory where medicinal oils are produced. “We work with operational procedures, pH testing, soil, water, and lighting, always seeking the best standard for our products,” he explained, also mentioning partnerships with the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) for extract testing.

The association is developing an action plan to raise funds and expand production. The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) was ordered to inspect and assist in the adaptation process of Acalme-CE, as per the judicial authorization. However, according to Marcelo, there has been no contact from the agency yet.