Paraguay aims to legalize medical cannabis in the coming months

Legal cannabis could become a reality in Paraguay, at least for medical use, in the coming months, as the government is studying a bill that deals with the regulation and decriminalization of cannabis. According to the draft, anyone in possession of cannabis for medical use, prescribed by a certified doctor, will be exempt for any penalty related to this plant.

Cannabis is advancing in Latin America at a sprinter pace, and the experts in the field have not yet done anything. Of all the gardens on the youngest continent on the planet, there is one that has been more active than all, although in hiding. 

This is Paraguay, a true regional mecca for cannabis cultivation and a historic provider for users of the Southern Cone. Also, one of the main responsible for the damage to public health that the cannabis industry had on the continent. And thanks to the offer of pressing.

The product originated in Paraguay is a compress of flowers, branches, leaves and soil preserved with toxic chemicals for health. Although profitable in a context of illegality. Luckily, the years passed and America refined its consumption (at least in terms of cannabis).

Now, Paraguay is finally discussing a decriminalization of its most beautiful flower.

“The Chamber of Deputies is studying in its ordinary session the bill that decriminalizes the self-cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use,” the official channels reported.

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Cannabis possession will still be punishable if exceeded the limit established

From a pessimistic point of view, the Commission to Combat Drug Trafficking, chaired by Deputy Tito Ibarrola (PH) would give a negative assessment of the bill. Its members advise ratifying themselves in the initial rejection and to archive the project they will need 53 votes.

The norm indicates that whoever has in his possession substances referred to by law, which the doctor has prescribed, or whoever has them for his exclusive personal use, will be exempt from penalty.

But if the amount is greater than prescribed or necessary for personal use, the person in case will be punished with a penitentiary of two to four years and confiscation. The possession of cannabis or its derivatives for exclusively medicinal use will not be punishable.

Of course, in cases in which the holder carries a medical certificate endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. He must indicate that he suffers from ailments treatable with medical cannabis, says the rule that, unfortunately, could not be treated with other treatments.

The bill has strong opposition in the senate

The Anti-Drug Commission of the Paraguayan Parliament is the main opponent of what was called the “Mamá Cultiva” law. This civil association is the pioneer in promoting the self-cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

In a virtual meeting weeks ago, the Commission decided to reject the bill that seeks to modify various provisions of the anti-drug legislation. The purpose of the initiative was to authorize the medicinal self-cultivation of cannabis to treat certain pathologies, the Chamber of Deputies reported in a press report.

The deputies adopted this position taking into account the recommendations of the Ministry of Public Health, the Prosecutor’s Office, the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Senad) and the medical unions.

“Basically what these institutions have been aspects related to the National Constitution, as well as international treaties and current laws that already provide for the free distribution of the production and distribution of cannabis for medicinal purposes,” said the president of the Antinarcotics of the Lower House, the deputy for Central Tito Ibarrola (PPH).

The opinion must be submitted to the plenary for consideration when the deputies study the bill in question.

The proposal is promoted by the Mamá Cultiva Paraguay Organization and was presented by Senator Víctor Ríos (PLRA). It intended to allow self-cultivation exclusively to patients who have a prescription approved and registered with the Ministry of Health.

Deputy Ibarrola recalled that the Commission has already urged the Executive Power, through a statement, to immediately provide medicine to people who need it and that it is contemplated in the current law but is not yet fulfilled.

This latest legislation states that only pharmaceutical companies can be authorized to import raw material or produce it locally to prepare cannabis-based medicines.

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(Featured image by Bill Oxford via Unsplash)

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