New Article. On the Medical Front.. ICC mentioned.URUGUAY: Government opens for export of medical cannabis
The Observer / Before mid-year, cannabis is expected to reach pharmacies. In this way the government of Tabar Vzquez will be complying with the law that, in addition to regularizing the self-cultivation and cannabis clubs, authorized the production, distribution and sale of marijuana by the State. It is necessary to finalize some details related to the packaging so that the last - and perhaps the most revolutionary - part of the norm is implemented.
Once that stage is over, the Executive Branch and its drug policy agencies will consider facing a new challenge: the export of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
An executive source who is part of Vazquez's environment told El Observador that the government looks favorably on the possibility of exporting cannabis for medicinal use. The fact that for some time this part has accumulated empirical evidence about the potential benefits of the plant to treat some diseases or symptoms encourages the development of this possibility, although the scientific debate on the subject triggers different views.
Moreover, developed countries such as Germany, France, Canada and some states of the United States voted laws that enable the medical use, by prescription, of the product either in the form of flowers or elaborated goods. And for this they authorized the importation of the merchandise.
This situation provoked the interest on the part of some entrepreneurs to begin to study the subject.In August last year, the Cannabis Regulation and Control Institute (Ircca) had received 14 projects that incorporated medicinal use. In the last two months there were several unofficial contacts between entrepreneurs and the Ircca or National Drug Board (JND). In order to start production, companies must also have the authorization of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) as in the case of any other product for medical use in humans
One of the two companies that won the bid for state marijuana production is awaiting a response from Ircca on the project they will submit for the import of seeds other than those used to produce for domestic sales and for The export of flowers or the processed product for medicinal purposes, a business source told El Observador.
Last week Ircca received a visit from a representative of the Union of Exporters to establish a "nexus" for the purpose of dealing with the issue and to know firsthand what is the set of controls and certifications that must be taken into account for the export. At that meeting, Ircca expressed a "positive view" on the possibility of exporting cannabis for medicinal use.
Coincidentally, General Secretary of the National Drug Board, Diego Olivera, told El Observador on February 12 that the advancement of scientific research on the uses of medical cannabis and the passage of laws across the world that enable Its use marks the opening of an "important opportunity" for the country "from the point of view of development and productive diversification".
That is why it appeals to the different bodies that make up IRCCA "to generate the right conditions for the development of cannabis as a commodity" for industrial and medicinal purposes.
The minister said that Uruguay has "regulations, institutions and private initiatives" to take advantage of this "window of opportunity", but called for "caution" to ensure that the process has guarantees.