UFS wants to contribute to research on the use of cannabis

By Ascom UFS

The Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), represented by rector Valter Santana, welcomed on last Monday (6) the coordinator of Public Health of the Brazilian Bar Association – Sergipe Section (OAB-SE), Maurício Lobo, who also heads the legal department of the Brazilian Association of Cannabis Health. The purpose of the visit was to request the entity's support in conducting studies that can prove the health benefits of cannabis use.

According to the rector, there is interest on the part of the university to contribute. "We are being sought to do what is our function, which is to promote and disseminate new knowledge. This is a source of great pride, as we are showing that UFS is fulfilling its role of producing science beyond the training of professionals," pointed out Valter.

The rector emphasized that he is aware this is a demand from society promoted through the OAB. "We will then conduct internal analyses, we already have groups of interested researchers, and soon, with the authorization of the judiciary, we will promote research that demonstrates the therapeutic capacity of medicinal oil derived from Cannabis, fostering the development of new possibilities for various diseases. And this is how the university makes a transformation through science," emphasized Valter Santana.

Studies

During the meeting, the legal director of the Brazilian Association of Cannabis Health, Maurício Lobo, informed UFS that there is a preventive habeas corpus for cannabis cultivation, the first in the state of Sergipe. "We want to give the possibility for this plant and this extract to reach the university and confirm that this is indeed the plant that was prescribed, that the patient is undergoing therapy and showing significant improvement in their condition, but, in addition, we want to enable UFS to develop other research with this material," pointed out Maurício.

"We also requested the presence of Professor Lysandro Borges at this meeting, a great researcher, highly respected in society. We want to form a coalition in defense of public health, showing that we have sensitivity and empathy for thousands of patients who suffer daily from prejudice, taboo, and who are also criminalized," added the coordinator of Public Health of the Brazilian Bar Association – Sergipe Section (OAB-SE), Maurício Lobo.

For him, the next step now is to formalize the university regarding the request for the study. "We will formalize this process, asking the university to express its interest in receiving this plant and this extract, as well as to enable itself in the records, expressing interest through its Legal Advisory, so that the plant arrives as quickly as possible. We want to promote science to foster in Sergipe a regulatory model that serves as a reference for Brazil," he commented.