Distribution of cannabis-based medications advances in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul

The city of Porto Alegre, through the Health Department, discusses the implementation of Law No. 13,829. During the meeting, the next steps were defined to establish the distribution of marijuana-based medications through the Unified Health System (SUS) in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.

According to state deputy and proponent of the law, Leonel Radde, the city's Health Department showed support for cannabis. "Some obstacles were raised, mainly generated by Anvisa, which hinder the distribution of plant-based medications through SUS. But the department provided us with some paths, at the state and federal levels, as will be done in the state of São Paulo," comments Radde.

Along with the state deputy, the meeting was attended by councilman Aldacir Oliboni and representatives of cannabis associations Patrícia da Rosa (Acuracan) and Liane Pereira (Revivid). In addition to them, representing the city, were the Health Secretary, Fernando Ritter, and the pharmacy area coordinators, Leonel Almeida and Graziele Pedrazza.

Distribution of medications throughout Rio Grande do Sul

As a deputy, Leonel is the author of bill No. 19/2023, which seeks to establish at the state level the policy of free supply of cannabis-derived medications. Currently, the bill is "stalled" in the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) since November 2023, awaiting the opinion of Deputy Nadine to then be debated and approved in the Legislative Assembly.

A debate that, according to Radde, should be well received by the deputies. "Most of the parliamentarians I talk to show sympathy and sensitivity to the issue, including many who have family members using plant-based medications. There are still some resistances, but not many. We are waiting for Deputy Nadine," says Leonel.

We need to talk about medicinal cannabis

In addition to meetings with the government, Leonel has been holding informative and educational events about cannabis. The mandate of the deputy and leader of the Front for Medicinal Cannabis is responsible for the project "We Need to Talk About Medicinal Cannabis," which travels throughout the state of RS. On Saturday, the 16th, the City Council of Alegrete hosted another edition of the project.

So far, the initiative has been present in cities such as Caxias do Sul, Santa Cruz, and Porto Alegre. For April, the deputy is organizing an event in Jaguarão, a municipality that borders Uruguay.