Panama's Parliament votes to legalize medical cannabis

44 votes in favor, zero against. Panamanian deputies said a resounding «yes» on Monday to Law 153 legalizing medical cannabis. The text, entitled «For a day without pain», must now be signed by the center-left President, Laurentino Cortizo. If he promulgates the law, Panama will become the first Central American country to legalize medical cannabis. authorize cannabis medical.

This is the end of a legislative marathon, This is the third vote in five years on this same bill. «It's a relief today for patients, because they deserve it!», said the President of Panama's National Assembly, Crispiano Adames. This law will particularly concern people suffering from multiple sclerosis, epilepsies or nausea due to chemotherapy

Medical cannabis will only be sold in pharmacies. These pharmacies must first receive a stamp from the Minister of Health. Establishments will also have to undergo a number of tests to ensure that they meet health standards.

No flowers allowed

Panama has introduced a number of safeguards to prevent medical cannabis from being diverted to recreational use. For example, pharmacies will not be able to sell flowers, but only capsules or liquid extracts such as oils. Patients will also be prohibited from growing their own cannabis.

In this wealthy but highly unequal country, many patients had no access to treatment. The Fundacion Luces, for example, estimates that 40 to 50 % of the 50,000 people suffering from epilepsy have no medication available.