Peru launches its medical cannabis program in earnest

The Peruvian authorities launched the country's medical cannabis program in earnest last week with the publication of rules for the production and distribution of cannabis. The country had already published most of the rules by decree earlier this year, but did not indicate how companies could apply for the licenses needed to enter the industry.

Peru has also imported its first medical cannabis products, a hemp-derived CBD oil from Anden Naturals, which has facilities in Peru and Oregon.

License types

Under the new rules, licenses will be available for research, production, importation, wholesale marketing, seed production and retail sales of cannabis. To obtain a license, applicants will need to submit detailed information, including agricultural production plans from seed to harvest and safety protocols.

Regulators have also issued rules that will allow companies with production licenses to import seeds from other countries, including Colombia. What seems to be missing, however, are procedures for exporting cannabis products, which would enable Peruvian companies to join the global cannabis market.

‘While there are always more details that regulators need to understand, these guidelines represent the initial building blocks that will allow Peru to create a framework for companies to begin capitalizing on different business opportunities, joining the global cannabis industry,’ a declared Andrés Vázquez Vargas. Executive Director of agricultural consultancy ACM Peru.

«The long-awaited guidelines that have just been published allow companies to really start having meaningful operations in the country,» he added.

Medical cannabis legalized in 2017

The therapeutic use of cannabis has been legalized in Peru in 2017. In signing the legislation, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said it was time to put aside the image of cannabis as a dangerous substance.

«Here, we are breaking with a myth,» he declared. «Peru is turning several pages towards modernity.»

The Peruvian Congress has passed the bill legalizing cannabis for medical use in response to the work of Buscando Esperanza, a group of mothers who secretly cultivated cannabis to create medicines for their seriously ill children. Ana Álvarez, leader of the group, was preparing tinctures for her son.

«Anthony has suffered from severe epilepsy since he was 3 years old, she explained last year to High Times. «For years, he suffered seven or eight seizures a day. Pharmaceuticals only worked for three or four months. Trying one drug after another, that's how the years went by. We went to see different neurologists, and they all said the same thing: there's no cure. And with each crisis, neurons are killed and his situation worsens.»

With the cannabis tincture, Anthony's seizures were reduced to two a day, and their severity diminished. He has also been able to return to school and is developing his social skills in a drama workshop.

«He's connected to reality again,» said Ana Álvarez. «Before he was there physically, but in a world of his own. Now he can lead a dignified life.»

However, the law on medical cannabis does not allow self-production, leaving Buscando Esperanza with another battle to fight.

«This law was supposed to help us, but I fear it will do just the opposite,» explains Álvarez. «We're not well off. How will we be able to afford this medicine if we can no longer do it at home?»