Here’s what’s been published by the Panamanian Assembly (Monday)
“Bill 153 on medicinal cannabis and its therapeutic use has been approved with the participation of everyone, patients, non-profit patient organizations, with the Ministry of Health, Pharmacies and Drugs, with the presence of the Prosecutor’s Office , with the Ministry of Agricultural Development … it is a way that people require to live and that at this moment they do it illicitly through smuggling, or bringing it hidden, I think citizens deserve a standard of consideration such as cannabis medicinal,” explained the deputy proponent of the initiative, Crispiano Adames
MEDICINAL CANNABIS WILL BE LEGALIZED FOR PATIENTS TO WIN A PAIN-FREE DAY
For a day without pain, was the forceful expression that encouraged the signing in the third debate of Bill 153 that recognizes the legal status of the use of Cannabis with medicinal and therapeutic properties, consolidating a 5-year struggle that led to chronic and chronic patients. relatives of this group of people.
Satisfaction took hold of the session that marks a precedent for legalizing medical cannabis, a modern and unknown issue at the time, but which in the end risked approval, understanding the right of people to live better.
The approved project is the result of numerous discussions and consensus where organizations of patients with chronic degenerative diseases, the Ministry of Health, the Directorate of Pharmacies and Drugs, the Ministry of the Presidency, the Public Ministry and its Prosecutor’s Offices, MIDA, the Ministry of Security and others.
The greatest achievement in the opinion of the President of the National Assembly, Crispiano Adames, “is the relief that patients will have because they deserve it.”
He concluded that this sensitive and innovative health issue led to permanent consultations, trips to countries that have laws regarding the use of these drugs and the substantial contribution of the Technical Board, which was decisive in reaching agreement on all legal aspects. to prevent smuggling in the future.
For her part, Marie Millard, executive director of the Luces Panama Foundation, said that the approval of the legislative initiative will give patients quality of life, specifically for people with epilepsy who take two and three medications and do not work for them. For her, it will improve the quality of children with refractory epilepsy and the conditions of their relatives who suffer at their side.
Treatment with medical cannabis is an emerging therapy for different pathologies according to Millard, such as in cases of multiple sclerosis, nausea induced by chemotherapies, in addition to alleviating chronic pain.
He explained that the drugs would come to the country in oral presentation through capsules or sublingual drops. It will be the responsibility of MINSA to determine the pharmacies endorsed to carry out the sale and distribution, prior to going through strict sanitary controls and having good manufacturing, preparation, supervision and monitoring practices.
Likewise, Dr. Sandra Carrillo, a specialist in cannabinoid medicine, said that having this type of medicine puts an end to the Stations of the Cross for hundreds of families, who became smugglers in order to alleviate the suffering of their children.
He stressed that only in Panama there are about 50,000 people with epilepsy problems and 30% have refractory epilepsy, which is the one that is not controlled with traditional medications, but now they will have relief.
In Bill 153, an initiative that was championed within the first body of the State by the deputies Crispiano Adames and Marcos Castillero, delegates to the competent authorities to ensure the maintenance of accessible costs in terms of products derived from medicinal cannabis.
Additionally, it is established that the Cannabis Technical Council will have two (2) representatives of organizations of patients with chronic degenerative diseases.
Regarding the importation of medicinal cannabis derivatives to licensees, a validity of two (2) years was determined from the date of approval of the license and may only be granted in order to supply the patients of the Program of Cannabis use and the national market for this period of time.
The initiative strictly prohibited the commercialization of products derived from medicinal cannabis at home or via the internet within the country.
In Latin America at least seven countries have given the green light to therapeutic use and, in the absence of sanction from the Executive, Panama joins this method of pain relief or control and advances in scientific development.
Also Read, The Jurist
https://www.jurist.org/news/2021/08/panama-legalizes-medical-marijuana-use/
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