Suplicy reports benefits of medical cannabis during treatment

State Representative Eduardo Suplicy (PT-SP) is using his personal experience in treating Parkinson's disease to advocate for expanded access to medical cannabis in Brazil. Diagnosed in 2023, the lawmaker reports improvements in tremors, muscle pain, sleep, and mobility after incorporating plant derivatives into his treatment under medical supervision. In his view, access to these medications should not depend on patients' financial means.

His advocacy gained momentum as Suplicy began publicly sharing his journey as a patient and calling for measures to ensure access to cannabis-based products through the Unified Health System (SUS). In September 2026, the lawmaker reaffirmed his support for providing the treatment free of charge during a meeting with physician Pedro Tourinho in Campinas (SP), highlighting the need for regulation and affordable prices.

From diagnosis to the search for therapeutic alternatives

Suplicy went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in September 2023. At the time, he reported hand tremors, particularly when holding cutlery and eating, as well as muscle pain in his left leg. The condition also affected everyday activities requiring fine motor control.

Initially, the lawmaker used conventional medications to manage his symptoms. In parallel, he learned about the experiences of patients turning to medical cannabis, including individuals supported by patient advocacy and support associations.

Contact with these initiatives helped bring him closer to the topic. Suplicy also began following the work of organizations such as Cultive and Flor da Vida, which operate in the medical cannabis space.

The lawmaker started using cannabis oil and, throughout his clinical follow-up, reported gains in quality of life. Among the changes he described were reduced pain, fewer tremors during meals, and greater stability when walking.

Study recorded a 54.55% improvement in symptoms

Suplicy's clinical evolution was also documented in a case study published in July 2025 in the Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. The paper described the outcomes observed during treatment with cannabis oil rich in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

According to the study, there was a 54.55% reduction in the score on the MDS-UPDRS scale, which is used to assess the severity of Parkinson's disease symptoms. This progress was accompanied by reports of improved mobility and daily task performance, as well as benefits related to sleep and quality of life.

The treatment was conducted with clinical monitoring and gradual dosage adjustments. During the phase when the patient reported the best motor response, the dose reached 18.25 mg of THC per day, split into three administrations. It was subsequently adjusted to 20 mg daily.

The study included the participation of researchers affiliated with the Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (Unila), along with professionals and institutions involved in the clinical investigation and patient monitoring.

The authors emphasize, however, that findings from a single case report do not warrant concluding that the same response will be observed in other patients. Larger, controlled clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and conditions of use for cannabinoids in treating Parkinson's symptoms.

Cannabis was used as a complementary therapy, not as an automatic replacement for conventional medications for the condition.

Personal experience fuels advocacy for access via SUS

By speaking publicly about his treatment, Suplicy began connecting his individual experience to the reality faced by patients struggling to obtain cannabis-based medications.

In an open letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva published in October 2025, the lawmaker advocated for the regulation of medical cannabis and voiced concern over challenges faced by patient support associations. In the document, he also underscored the importance of democratizing access to treatments.

The debate involves multiple barriers, including product costs, the need for prescriptions and professional oversight, and regulatory frameworks for production and distribution. For patients relying on continuous therapy, supply disruptions can compromise continuity of care.

In September 2026, while advocating for medical cannabis provision through SUS, Suplicy once again stressed that these medicines must reach the public at affordable prices. His stance stems from the firsthand account of someone undergoing treatment and underscores the importance of enabling other patients to access it, provided there are clinical indications and professional supervision.

What Suplicy's experience means for the debate

The lawmaker's journey illustrates how patient reports can help broaden public debate on cannabis-based treatments. At the same time, individual experience must be evaluated alongside available scientific evidence, which varies depending on the clinical condition, product used, cannabinoid profile, and therapeutic protocol.

In the case of Parkinson's, research on medical cannabis still faces open questions regarding efficacy, safety, dosing, and long-term effects. The results observed in Suplicy represent a relevant clinical record, but they do not replace controlled trials capable of establishing broader conclusions.

Advocating for access through SUS adds another layer to the discussion: how to translate scientific evidence and clinical needs into public policies that ensure patient safety, treatment evaluation, and sustainable supply.

For Suplicy, his experience with medical cannabis has turned the issue into a personal cause. His account has become central to defending a model where access to prescribed treatment is not determined solely by a patient's income.