- Murillo suffers from severe epilepsy
- His doctors prescribed cannabis
- This has led to high prices for imported cannabis products
Janaína Silva’s 4-year-old son, Murillo, suffers from severe epilepsy, leading to frequent and debilitating seizures. After traditional medications failed, his doctors prescribed cannabis.
The positive impact was immediate, with seizure duration significantly reduced.
However, the cost of CBD oil – $180 per bottle – posed a significant financial burden for Silva, who earns just over half that amount monthly.
Fortunately, Sao Paulo’s recent policy providing free medical cannabis has alleviated this stress.
While the federal government has been slow to regulate medical cannabis, Sao Paulo has taken a proactive approach. The state’s legislation, passed in 2022, allows for the free distribution of CBD through the public healthcare system.
State lawmaker Caio França spearheaded the bill after meeting a mother struggling to obtain CBD for her child.
Recognizing the urgent need for such legislation, particularly for families facing financial hardship, França worked tirelessly to gain support from his conservative colleagues.
The law, initially restricted to patients with three rare medical conditions, has proven to be a lifeline for many Brazilian families. Mothers like Maria Aparecida Carvalho, whose daughter Clárian suffers from Dravet Syndrome, have been instrumental in advocating for medical cannabis access.
Carvalho’s personal journey, including smuggling CBD and growing marijuana in her backyard, highlights the challenges faced by patients seeking alternative treatments.
While existing Brazilian legislation allows for the use of cannabis for medical purposes, the cultivation of marijuana remains illegal.
This has led to high prices for imported cannabis products and increased demand for medical cannabis treatment.
According to a survey by Kaya Mind, the number of Brazilians receiving cannabis treatment increased by nearly 130% in 2023, surpassing 430,000.
Sao Paulo’s progressive policy is a significant step forward in ensuring access to medical cannabis for those in need.
