<strong>Anita Krepp: Cannabis will become its own editorial department in the future</strong>
The journalist also stated that major newspapers lack the recognition of the importance of having a specialized journalist on the subject, as there are in other areas
By Tylla Lima
More than 180,000 Brazilian patients have access to cannabis derivatives in the country, through imports, associations, and pharmacies, according to data from the Cannabis Yearbook in Brazil (2022), mapped by Kaya Mind. This is a significant number, considering that the regulation of the plant in Brazil is still limited. The lack of financial resources and information worsen the situation.
Journalist Anita Krepp, a confirmed speaker at the Brazilian Congress of Cannabis 2023, emphasizes the importance of press specialization on the subject. With more information, everyone benefits. “In the mainstream media, most are unprepared because journalists usually do not have time to specialize. There are no journalists specialized in cannabis in these major outlets, so what we see are articles that do not delve into the subject,” says Krepp.
The data reported in the press indicates that specialized media are the ones that most promote the use of medicinal cannabis. In this flow, the press is the guiding thread. “Despite fluctuations in how it is perceived, no matter how our value fluctuates, the press still has a guiding power in society, and I think it always will,” says the journalist.
"We have spent so many decades living with fake news, prohibition, misinformation, and I think cannabis should become its own editorial department with specialized professionals to speak on the subject with authority"
Anita Krepp, journalist
Affirming that the relationship between cannabis and the press needs to be close, as what is reported is relevant to patient information access, breaking prejudice, and even has a decisive influence on changes in plant regulation in Brazil. “We have spent so many decades living with fake news, prohibition, misinformation, and I think cannabis should become its own editorial department with specialized professionals to speak on the subject with authority. In our country, things do not move as quickly as we would like, but I think it is inevitable,” she concludes.