Medicinal and Therapeutic Benefits Hindered by Plant Criminalization

Scientific advancements to improve the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's through the benefits of cannabis sativa are still hindered by lack of regulation. In Brazil, currently, patients can only access therapeutic or medicinal use through authorization from the Justice system with the application of habeas corpus to comply with the treatment as prescribed by a medical professional.

In 2021, over 100 authorizations were granted by the Justice system for the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal use. The use of marijuana-derived products is still criminalized in the country. It is necessary to create a specific law to make marijuana cultivation a legal activity and integrate it into the Brazilian agribusiness production chain, today, one of the most productive in the world supplying markets such as China and European countries.

The criminalization of the plant deprives Brazil, with great productive potential based on the strength of our agribusiness, of an expanding and profitable market.

According to global market analysis, it is estimated that the plant will reach a revenue of US$ 33.6 billion by 2025. For Brazilians, this would represent job creation and income generation for a large part of the population. Scientific bureaucracy in Brazil.

São Paulo

In São Paulo, the Justice system granted a collective habeas corpus prohibiting the arrest of members of Cultive - Cannabis and Health Association for planting the herb. After the judicial decision, association members gained the right to plant and produce the medication and provide seedlings to individuals authorized by the Justice system.

Brazilian legislation is a barrier to be broken for the development of the cannabis production chain. To decriminalize the cultivation of the plant for personal and therapeutic use, the Human Rights and Participatory Legislation Commission proposed amending article 28 of Law No. 11,343, of August 23, 2006.

According to the bill under consideration in the Federal Senate, the text, if approved, legalizes the sowing, cultivation, and harvesting of the plant for personal therapeutic use, provided that the quantity sufficient for treatment as prescribed by a medical professional is exceeded, being indispensable.

The legislation amendment is encouraged through public participation via e-Cidadania, a channel that allows citizens to participate in Senate legislative, budgetary, oversight, and representation activities.

In an open vote on the institution's portal, over 95% of people who expressed their opinion on the matter are in favor of marijuana decriminalization.

Click here to participate in the vote

Brasília

In Brasília, the Legislative Chamber of the Federal District is analyzing the Bill presented by District Deputy Leandro Grass (PV) with the aim of regulating the cultivation of cannabis sativa for medicinal and scientific purposes. For the parliamentarian, the approval of the proposal will be important to fill a legal