São Paulo City Council Committee approves project guaranteeing supply of cannabidiol by SUS

At the meeting last Wednesday, October 6, the Health, Social Promotion, Labor, and Women's Committee of the São Paulo City Council met to analyze 22 items on the agenda. Among the projects with a favorable opinion was Bill (PL) 569/2021, which establishes the municipal policy of supplying formulated medications based on cannabidiol in municipal public health units and private entities affiliated with SUS (Unified Health System).

During the meeting, Councilman Roberto Tripoli emphasized the delay of the city of São Paulo in regulating the use of cannabidiol. “There are children who suffer a lot. Families suffer. I witnessed incredible cases, of children having up to 30 epileptic seizures a day, and, after using cannabidiol, it decreased to one per week, one per day,” he stated.

Tripoli also highlighted the plurality of parties, both left and right-wing, involved in the project's review, and congratulated the proposing council members for the initiative.

Councilwoman Amanda Paschoal (PSOL), the project's rapporteur, celebrated the approval and emphasized the positive impact the measure can bring to public health. “We know the fundamental power of healing and restoring health, the integrity of the health of people who need these medications. This law will ensure that the medications are available in the SUS. I think it is essential to fight for this. I am very happy with the project's approval and with the votes of my colleagues here in the Committee,” she declared, in a statement from the Council.

Opposing vote was for technical reasons

The only council member to vote against PL 569/2021, Councilwoman Rute Costa justified her position and stated that she is not against the proposal's content: “I voted against it because I understand that it is outdated. It has already been approved at the state level,” she explained.

The Health, Social Promotion, Labor, and Women's Committee is composed of seven council members and is responsible for giving opinions on topics related to SUS, social security, occupational safety, and worker health. Projects related to programs for the protection of the elderly, women, children, adolescents, and people with disabilities also go through this committee. The project continues to be processed within the municipal legislature.