The so-called Cannabis Nuns or Sisters of the Valley, globally known for their handmade production of cannabidiol (CBD) based oils and ointments, were in Brazil in August for a series of activities that include lectures, workshops, and a groundbreaking partnership with the NGO Pangeia. The group, founded about a decade ago in California (USA), aims to expand access to therapeutic products derived from cannabis and share cultivation techniques.

Partnership with Brazilian NGO

In the country, the nuns established a collaboration with the NGO Pangeia, comprised of Black, Indigenous, and residents of peripheries. The initiative involves the distribution of CBD oils and ointments, as well as the offering of courses on planting and processing the plant. 

The goal, according to the organizers, is to democratize knowledge about the medicinal use of cannabis and strengthen communities that historically face barriers to health access.

The course "Artisanal Extraction with Sister Camila" is aimed at patients, caregivers, and those interested in the subject. The program includes teaching three simple and powerful methods for homemade production: Infusion, Maceration, and Alcohol Extraction. Sister Camila will bring not only technical knowledge but also a perspective of ancestral wisdom and activism, sharing her extensive experience in the fight for cannabis liberalization in Mexico.

"It is an honor to welcome Sister Camila directly from Mexico to Campinas. Her visit symbolizes the unity of forces in favor of access to knowledge and social justice in health. Our team, mostly composed of Black and Indigenous people at Pangeia, reinforces this commitment to democratizing information," highlight Débora Aguiar and Jess de Souza, co-organizers of the event.
 

Identity and Activism

Despite the name and religious habit they wear in their public appearances, the nuns are not affiliated with any religious order. The choice of attire is a symbolic act that, according to the collective, combines spirituality, political activism, and defense of female autonomy. With their arrival in Brazil, the group aims to consolidate local partnerships and contribute to expanding the debate on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.