UFPB launches educational project on medicinal cannabis to combat misinformation

The Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) has launched a project focused on education about medicinal cannabis to combat misinformation. The initiative "Popular Education - Cannabis-CIM: Health Education and Empowerment of Patients and Caregivers" has just been approved in the Extension Scholarships Program (Probex) 2025-2026. 

The goal is to clarify the therapeutic potential of the plant. Although its use is allowed and has become popular in Brazil, the topic continues to be the subject of debates, mainly due to the association with recreational use and the criminalization of marijuana in the country.

The extension action is coordinated by Gabriel Freitas, a faculty member of the Pharmacy Department and coordinator of the Center for Information on Medicines (CIM-UFPB). According to him, the project focuses on individuals with various clinical conditions, such as refractory epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, who already use or seek treatments based on cannabis.

The project also aims to support caregivers, who need guidance to deal with the complexity of the treatment and the associated bureaucracy.

For the UFPB faculty member, stigma is a major obstacle. “This feeling of a 'controversial issue,' which many do not want to address, is entirely based on prejudice and not on science. We need more science about the plant and more dissemination of serious information, with robust evidence,” commented Gabriel Freitas in a UFPB note.

Physicians also seek education on medicinal cannabis

The lack of qualified information not only affects patients. A report from Sechat, from the 4th Medical Cannabis Fair (MCF) of 2025, revealed an important fact: "Obtaining knowledge about the medicinal use of Cannabis" is the main concern of the 1,201 visiting physicians. 

Approximately 30% of these physicians, including prescribers (72.59%) and non-prescribers (27.41%), attended the event with this objective.

The report also pointed out that among physicians who do not prescribe cannabis, 78.41% stated that the main reason is "lack of knowledge". The UFPB project aims to fill this gap.

How will the UFPB project operate?

To reach the public, which often turns to associations to acquire CBD and THC products affordably, the project will work in partnership with two institutions: the Liga Canábica Association in João Pessoa (PB) and the Reconstruir Cannabis Association in Natal (RN).

The initiative aims to reach an audience of about 300 people. Educational workshops will be held, both remotely and in person, to provide this audience with reliable information. “We want to combat misinformation, empower professionals, and empower patients,” explained Gabriel Freitas.

In addition to the workshops, the idea is to leverage the potential of digital media. The project will invest in creating a podcast, whose episodes will be available on different platforms. More details will be disclosed on the CIM-UFPB Instagram.

With information from UFPB