Paraguay gives green light to medicinal cannabis oil production
The Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay has approved a project that will allow the creation of a national program for scientific research and production of cannabis oil for medicinal purposes in the country [[1]]. This proposal establishes the legal bases for the production of cannabis oil in Paraguay [[1]].
Consensus to meet patient needs
To date, there were three legislative proposals in the field of medicinal cannabis in Paraguay, but no consensus had been reached [[1]]. However, due to the urgent need of patients who are already being successfully treated with cannabis oil, a single text has been adopted in the Anti-Drug Commission [[1]].
Production and marketing of cannabis oil
Once the bill is approved by the Senate, national pharmaceutical companies will be allowed to begin producing and marketing cannabis oil [[1]]. The Customs Technical Department of Specialized Surveillance (Detave) will be responsible for the importation of cannabis seeds for cultivation, while the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Senad) will supervise the entire process [[1]]. In addition, the Anti-Drug Secretariat will be able to directly produce cannabis oil to distribute it free of charge to patients who need it [[1]].
Regulatory framework for medical and scientific research
This regulatory framework law will allow the research and eventual industrialization of the cannabis plant for the treatment of certain conditions [[1]]. The law currently in force in Paraguay, Law 1340 of Narcotic Substances of 1988, did not establish exceptions for cannabis as a medicinal substance nor did it allow its cultivation [[1]]. Therefore, legislators saw the need to establish an exception clause through this new law [[1]].
Affordable access to cannabis oil
The importation of medicinal cannabis oil into Paraguay was authorized in July 2016 [[1]]. However, with the creation of a special commission, it is expected that within a period of no more than a year the production of cannabis oil will be permitted in the country [[1]]. This would reduce the costs of access to medicine, which currently hover around G. 1,800,000 per dose of oil [[1]]. Furthermore, homemade processes that do not always produce consistent products would be avoided [[1]].
Historic dismissal for manufacturing and distribution of cannabis oil
In a landmark case, those accused of manufacturing and distributing cannabis oil in Paraguay have been acquitted [[1]]. According to the lawyer in charge of the defense, this action is legal in Paraguay when it comes to possession and distribution for compassionate and non-commercial use [[1]]. The prosecution determined that it was not a case of possession and marketing, but rather a violation of administrative provisions [[1]].
