Sergipe's Medicinal Cannabis Policy Receives Pharmaceutical Award

The pioneering initiative in Brazil, the State Medicinal Cannabis Policy developed in Sergipe, was awarded by the Journal of Pharmaceutical Care and Pharmacoeconomics (JAFF). The law regulates the use of cannabis for therapeutic, medicinal, veterinary, and scientific purposes.

The achievement was celebrated by State Deputy Luciano Pimentel (Progressistas), author of the law that instituted the policy, during a speech in the Legislative Assembly. The recognition comes 29 months after the sanction of Law No. 9,178/2023.

The award was received in Belo Horizonte (MG) by pharmacist Juliana Santos, coordinator of Pharmaceutical Care at the State Health Department (SES). The parliamentarian stated that the award "reinforces Sergipe's leadership in promoting a treatment capable of transforming lives".

Launched in 2022, the JAFF Award aims to stimulate qualified scientific production in the areas of pharmaceutical care and health technology assessment. According to the deputy, the award confirms that the initiative has become a solid public policy.

Impact of Medicinal Cannabis Treatment

Currently, 247 people from Sergipe already have access to this medicinal cannabis treatment in the public health system. Of these, 67 are patients with refractory epilepsy and 180 with aggressive behavior associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“It is an honor to know that our work in parliament has resulted in a nationally recognized public policy that has changed the reality of the population,” said Pimentel. "May we continue to progress to serve an increasing number of people with this treatment," concluded the deputy according to a note from the Sergipe Legislative Assembly.