The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos - PB), classified the use of medicinal 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 medical graduate 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 the Congress and the Chamber have to deliberate, each in their voting responsibility," he said, in a video published by Minister Paulo Teixeira and Deputy Eduardo Suplicy. 

Also present at the meeting were parliamentarians from different parties and representatives of sector associations. Deputy Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL - SP) highlighted the positive stance of her colleague. "President Hugo Motta expressed that personally he is 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 medicinal cannabis associations. "How can you take away a patient's right to have a 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, the President of the Chamber was asked for urgency in voting on the appeal of PL 399/2015. The project amends art. 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 a conversation between Motta and Teixeira in April of this year. On that occasion, the politicians committed to meeting with representatives of Brazilian associations linked to medicinal cannabis, focusing on production and access to treatments.

According to Sâmia, Motta committed to prioritizing the progress of PL 399 in the next meeting of party leaders. Minister Teixeira's office pointed out that Deputy Pedro Campos (PSB - PE) will be responsible for bringing the issue to the leaders' group.

Motta committed to listening to the various sectors of the caucus, with some sectors, such as the evangelical one, being identified as important for dialogue. "Strong dialogue and pressure from society on caucuses and conservative sectors of Congress will be necessary, demystifying misconceptions," evaluated Sâmia.

Authored by former Deputy Fábio Mitidieri, the Bill remains stalled. However, the current Governor of Sergipe has implemented a medicinal cannabis policy in the state's Unified Health System (SUS).

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