Distribution of medical marijuana by SUS will be the subject of public debate at ALMG

While the National Congress tries to approve a PEC that makes it a crime to possess any amount of drugs, the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais (ALMG) discusses the possibility of cannabis-based medicines being distributed by the Unified Health System (SUS) in the State. A public debate on the evidence on the therapeutic use of the plant and the population’s means of accessing medicines will take place next Friday (April 26). In São Paulo, the Distribution of these medicines in public health is scheduled to begin in May.

The debate is scheduled to take place between 9am and 6pm in the José Alencar Auditorium. According to the house, there will be several topics that will be debated, but among them is the importance of encouraging scientific research for the development of therapeutic and medicinal use of cannabis-derived products; and the means necessary to enable access to treatment for the population; between others.

“Public policies, experiences and advances for access to cannabis treatment for the population will be addressed, showing the experiences and progress in legislation and public policies necessary to enable access to medical cannabis treatments through the SUS”, he added to ALMG.

The discussion tables will include specialist doctors from higher education institutions, psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, agricultural engineers and lawyers.

Cannabis in SUS is already a reality in 13 Brazilian states

Since 2023, Brazil has been receiving a flood of state bills to guarantee marijuana-based products for medicinal use by the SUS. At least 24 federation units have either already approved a rule on the topic or are debating the matter in the Legislature. The research carried out by Folha covers all the Assemblies of the Brazilian states, in addition to the Chamber of the Federal District. After being approved and sanctioned, the state government needs to guarantee the supply of the medicine.

Laws were approved in Acre, Alagoas, Amapá, Federal District, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Paraná, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Rondônia, Roraima, São Paulo and Tocantins. This does not mean, however, that they are all already in force. Among Brazilian states, only in Pernambuco, Ceará and Paraíba were no bills related to the topic found. Proposals approved by Municipal Chambers were not counted.

This movement takes place in a context in which these products have not yet been incorporated nationally by the SUS, and there are two ways for this to happen. The first is through the National Congress, which can approve specific legislation for the incorporation of medicinal Cannabis into the SUS. Another is by Conitec (National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies into the Unified Health System), linked to the Ministry of Health.

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