Medical cannabis is a 'very well resolved issue in my mind,' says Hugo Motta

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicans - PB), classified the use of medical cannabis as a "very well resolved" issue in his personal assessment. The statement was made during a hearing on Wednesday (29), which discussed the regulation of the topic.

Motta, who is a doctor graduated from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB), defended the agenda. "In my assessment and in my mind [it is] very well resolved. And I think that Congress and the Chamber must deliberate, each in their responsibility to vote," he said in a video published by Minister Paulo Teixeira and Deputy Eduardo Suplicy. 

In addition to them, parliamentarians from different parties and representatives from sector associations participated in the meeting. Deputy Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL - SP) highlighted her colleague's positive position. "President Hugo Motta expressed that he is personally in favor of the agenda and that, as a doctor, he recognizes the therapeutic potential for various diseases."

Motta pointed out the effectiveness of cannabis in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other diseases, highlighting judicial decisions that ensure the work of medical cannabis associations. "How can you take away a patient's right to have treatment, alleviate a problem, for a reason that is often merely prejudiced?" questioned the President of the Chamber.

Regulation and the progress of PL 399

During the meeting, urgency was requested from the President of the Chamber for the voting of the appeal of PL 399/2015. The project amends Article 2 of Law No. 11.343/2006, to enable the commercialization of medications containing extracts or parts of the Cannabis sativa plant.

The PL had already been the subject of talks between Motta and Teixeira in April of this year. At that time, the politicians made a commitment to meet with representatives of Brazilian associations related to medical cannabis, focusing on production and access to treatments.

According to Sâmia, Motta committed to address the progress of PL 399 at the next meeting of party leaders. Minister Teixeira's advisory pointed out that Deputy Pedro Campos (PSB - PE) will be responsible for bringing the topic to the leaders' college.

Motta committed to listening to the sectors of the bench, with some sectors, such as the evangelical, identified as important for dialogue. "Strong dialogue and pressure from society on the benches and conservative sectors of Congress will be necessary, demystifying misguided notions," Sâmia assessed.

Authored by former deputy Fábio Mitidieri, the Bill remains stalled. However, the current Governor of Sergipe implemented the medical cannabis policy in the state within the Unified Health System (SUS).

The Sergipe policy includes 235 patients undergoing treatment with cannabidiol — 173 for controlling aggressive behavior associated with ASD and 62 for refractory epilepsy.