First medical cannabis club opens in Chile

On September 2, Chile inaugurated its first medical cannabis club. It opened its doors in Arica, a town in the north of the country on the border with Peru.

The Botanica Organica Cannabis Internacional offers access to weed for patients with prescriptions who are unable to grow their own. In just under two months, the club already has around twenty members. The director of Botanica Organica Cannabis Internacional, Dr. Sergio Sànchez Bustos, hopes to supply up to 4,000 customers in the longer term. A realistic figure, given the city's population of over 200,000.

Chile, once one of the most repressive countries, is gradually becoming the leader in medical cannabis in South America. In 2015, Chile, via the decree 84, has removed cannabis from the list of dangerous illegal substances and authorized research into the product. In addition, personal production and private or small-group consumption are authorized. However, beware of those who have more than 10 grams on their person: the offence of «endangering public health» could be punishable by a fine.

NGOs and pharmaceutical companies

Projects are multiplying, with the government authorizing clinical trials and the sale of medical cannabis in pharmacies. In early 2016, almost 7,000 plants of the medicinal herb were processed into oil and distributed to 200 cancer patients.

Actress Ana Maria Gazmuri, President of the NGO Daya Foundation, is delighted with the progress made: »It's very exciting to see all these plants growing and to know that they are going to improve the quality of life of many people in Chile. She goes on to highlight the benefits of medical cannabis Once we know how to treat and consume it, medical cannabis is proving highly effective in combating certain serious illnesses«.

While pharmaceutical companies are jockeying for position in this new market, a number of local communities get organized to distribute cheaper cannabis to the less fortunate. Indeed, the cost of a medical cannabis treatment in a pharmacy can reach up to 2000$ per month. That's twice the country's average wage. Non-profit organizations such as Daya Foundation and Botanica Organica Cannabis Internacional offer cannabis accessible to all. In 2014, 86 % of Chileans approved the use of medical cannabis.

Théo Caillart