Cannabis in the São Paulo public health system may advance later this year, with the inclusion of refractory spasticity multiple sclerosis

The São Paulo State Health Department is expected to present, by the end of December, the necessary clinical protocol to include medicinal cannabis among the treatments for multiple sclerosis with refractory spasticity by the Unified Health System (SUS) of the state. If consolidated, the measure aims to enable the distribution of the medication in the São Paulo public network starting in 2026.

This is the expectation of State Deputy Caio França (PSB), author of State Law 17.618/23, which established the policy of providing cannabis-based medications in São Paulo. The deadline was defined during a Working Group (WG) meeting.

According to the deputy's office, the document being prepared will establish the access criteria for patients and the guidelines for medical prescription. Upon completion, the proposal will be submitted for validation by the State Health Secretary. There is a scheduled final WG meeting to consolidate technical approval.

Technical pressure for cannabis in the SUS and regulatory context

The acceleration of the process comes after a public hearing held by the Medicinal Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Parliamentary Front of the São Paulo State Legislative Assembly (Alesp). During the meeting, doctors and researchers demanded the expansion of treated pathologies to effectively implement cannabis in the SUS.

Currently, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) already authorizes the registration of Mevatyl, indicated for spasticity in multiple sclerosis. The medication is available in private pharmacies but is not part of the free distribution list, reinforcing the need for cannabis in the SUS.

For Deputy Caio França, the inclusion of the pathology responds to a demand based on evidence and financial barriers. “The August hearing clearly showed that science and clinical practice already point to the need to expand access to medicinal cannabis in the SUS,” he states.

“The strong demand from doctors and researchers to the WG was essential to unlock this process. We are close to ensuring that multiple sclerosis patients have a safe, effective, and evidence-based treatment,” concludes the parliamentarian.

New projects and promotion of cannabis in the SUS

In parallel with the discussions on the clinical protocol, the Parliamentary Front continues with a technical agenda at Alesp. This Tuesday (09), the group holds an event to announce the eight winning projects of the research grant. The initiative will allocate R$ 1.25 million for funding actions that can support the future of cannabis in the SUS.

The meeting aims to promote state scientific production on the subject and support new public policies. The event takes place at the CIVI-CO hub in Pinheiros and will be broadcast on the Alesp Network's YouTube Channel.

The Sechat Portal contacted the São Paulo State Health Department. At the time of publication of this material, there was no response regarding the progress of the cannabis protocol in the SUS.