Med Cann
Mexico moves forward with medical cannabis regulation
A medical cannabis market may finally be able to emerge now that a framework is in place.
Mexico has edged a step closer to regulating medical cannabis three years after it was legalised, The CANNAVIST has learned.
The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Finance sent the medical cannabis statute to the National Commission of Regulatory Compliance (CONAMER) on Tuesday.
The lack of a regulatory framework has until now denied the country a share of a global industry valued at US$ 16.5billion in 2019.
Jorge Rubio Escalona, former Chief of Staff of the Public Health Institute and Social Services to the Mexican Federal Government, told The CANNAVIST:
“The legalisation process continues under discussion of the legilslative chambers in the coming months.
“The CONAMER has a period of 30 to 60 days to approve the statute.
“This statute is the “open window” to medical cannabis in Mexico.”
The statute includes the following legal framework:
– Research guidelines
– Permits to grow for research and medical purposes
– Medical uses
– Prescription and dispensing guidelines
– Cannabis clinics
The guidelines have been delayed multiple times, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) issued the first medical cannabis guidelines in 2018.
However, the guidelines were revoked by the department the following year.
Plans to legalise cannabis for recreational use have also been delayed multiple times since the Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition was unconstitutional back in 2018.
The current proposals fully legalise consumption and cultivation for personal use, with individuals permitted to grow up to 20 plants.
They would also be allowed to smoke in public, except in designated smoke-free areas.
Hemp and CBD products would be exempt from the restrictions.
Jorge Rubio Escalona now lives in Vancouver, Canada and is both an entrepreneur and a cannabis industry marketing specialist with experience in sales, drug development and education.
As an external advisor to the Mexican Senate, Jorge is an expert in Mexican government relations and has first-hand knowledge of Mexico’s pathway to cannabis legalisation.
Be sure to catch his talk on cannabis legalisation at VOXPO CBD Live, this Saturday from 4pm.
Header Image by Chickenonline from Pixabay
