Panama’s Congress legalizes medical cannabis by unanimous vote

From Franca Quarneti via El Planteo

Panama’s National Legislative Assembly has passed a law to legalize medical cannabis by a unanimous 40 to 0 vote.

This will make the country the first in Central America to regulate the medicinal use of cannabis. However, the new regulations must be approved by Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo.

Photo by Fabrice Parkett via Unsplash

In this regard, activist Carlos Ossa warned: “Until the new law is passed, we will continue in the same situation: forced out of necessity to commit illegal activities, and we will continue to be exposed to the illegal market, where there are no guarantees.”

Details of the law

As Ciudad Cannabis reports, the new legislation creates a regulatory framework that enables “monitored and controlled” access to medical cannabis and its derivatives.

In addition, the law creates the National Program for Research into the Medical Uses of Cannabis and Its Derivatives to promote research and develop public awareness campaigns.

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The new regulation stipulates that only seven licenses for the production of cannabis derivatives will be granted.

According to France 24, licensed companies can export seeds, plants and derivatives. To do this, they must submit an export plan and register buyers with the Panamanian regulatory authorities.

Meanwhile, the law states that selling cannabis from home or outside of authorized establishments is prohibited and that marijuana advertising can only appear in scientific journals, not on the media or social networks.

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Growing marijuana can result in 10 to 15 years imprisonment.

“This is a great achievement, it is neither a perfect law nor perhaps the ideal, but it is definitely a first step that is fair and necessary,” Ossa concluded.