Petal Law is regulated and ensures access to cannabis-based medications in Paraná

On Wednesday (28), Decree No. 4,977 was published in the Official Gazette of Paraná, which enacts the regulation of the Petal Law (Law No. 21,364) dated February 14, 2023. The law, proposed by state deputy Goura (PDT) in 2019, addresses access to medications and products based on cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol for the treatment of various diseases, syndromes, and health disorders.

Deputy Goura expressed the importance of comprehensive legislation that broadly benefits the population, stating that the law aims to ensure free and universal access to cannabis-based medications and products through the Unified Health System (SUS).

Inspired by the story of a patient, the Petal Law was enacted by the Legislative Assembly on February 13, 2023, after extensive debates and public hearings with the active participation of patients, families, health and legal professionals, associations, and representatives of the public authorities.

Goura emphasized that the path to regulation was marked by overcoming ignorance and prejudice regarding the medicinal aspects of marijuana, highlighting the importance of ensuring access to medications in a free and universal manner through SUS.

The recent decree, in turn, includes in the list of medications to be offered by the State Health Secretariat (SESA) those containing cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, provided that efficacy and safety are proven, registered with the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), and for the indications specified in the package insert.

Furthermore, the decree authorizes the administrative payment for treatment with medication containing cannabidiol, registered with other regulatory agencies, indicated as an adjunct therapy for convulsive crises associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Deputy Goura reiterated that the responsibility now lies with the State Government, urging it to meet the emerging demands of the population and ensuring the effective implementation of the Petal Law to expand access to necessary treatments.