The Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) accepted, this Tuesday (21), a safe conduct request for the Santa Gaia Association. The entity, which serves more than 9,000 patients, will be able to continue its activities.

According to the association's lawyer, Antônio Pinto, the decision also grants individual safe conduct to ten patients listed in the process. The ruling states that the police authorities cannot make on-the-spot arrests or carry out the “retention of acquired seeds” intended for the cultivation, possession, and artisanal extraction of Cannabis for exclusively therapeutic use.

The decision also establishes the limit of importing 120 seeds per year, intended for the cultivation of up to 120 plants for each of the ten associates, totaling 1,200 annual plants. The cultivation must take place only at the association's headquarters and is subject to the presentation of valid medical prescription and import authorization issued by Anvisa.

On Monday (20), lawyer Antônio Pinto, Minister Paulo Teixeira, and Deputy Eduardo Suplicy held a meeting with the judge responsible for the ruling. The request comes after the Santa Gaia Association underwent a police action last Thursday (16). On that occasion, the São Paulo Civil Police destroyed over 500 cannabis plants from the organization.

According to the Minister, the action showed Brazil's delay on the cannabis issue. "There was a major setback this week in Brazil. The destruction of Santa Gaia made me feel like I was in the Middle Ages," he told Portal Sechat.

Recovery of Instagram accounts taken down

Over the weekend, Teixeira and Suplicy also played an active role in another front. They worked on the recovery of about 47 cannabis-related accounts that had been taken down on Instagram.

Around 30 accounts are already operating normally, including the Santa Gaia Association's profile.

According to the minister's office, Meta was unable to explain why the accounts were taken down. Nevertheless, the company mobilized a group of employees to analyze each case.

The removal of the profiles, which affected the Santa Gaia Association and other entities, was not due to a court order.