- Since 2021, Cofepris authorized the prescription of cannabis for medical purposes in Mexico, although there are several requirements that must be met.
- Some studies affirm that this plant is useful for the treatment of diseases such as epilepsy, anxiety, chronic pain and inflammation.
- Argentina was positioned as the country in the region with the highest percentage of support for the use of medical cannabis.
The use of medical cannabis remains one of the most controversial issues in the world. To date, it has followers and detractors alike, so it is impossible to reach a general consensus. The truth is that more and more nations have undertaken legal regulations to allow their use in certain types of diseases and conditions.
First of all, it is necessary to emphasize an aspect of great relevance. Unlike recreational use, when talking about medicinal purposes, it refers to the fact that there must be a prior review by a health professional who is an expert in the subject to identify the appropriate dose for each case.
What is required for the medical prescription of cannabis in Mexico?
Based on the above, it should be remembered that since 2021 the Regulation for the Production, Research and Medicinal Use of Cannabis in Mexico came into force. One of its objectives is to guarantee patients’ access to this healing option and also to establish the requirements that medical personnel must meet to prescribe cannabis to their patients.
What the legislation mentions is that the medical cannabis use it is an ideal option for certain diseases but not for all. For this reason, there must first be an assessment of the patient to identify the origin of the discomfort. If you consider it prudent, then you can resort to this new medicinal option.
Based on the new regulationIn order to have legal authority, the interested doctors must have the new special prescription prescriptions for Cannabis Medications. To get one, you must submit an application to the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) accompanied by the following documentation:
- Certified copy of the professional license that accredits you as a health professional in any of the branches referred to in Article 240 of the Law.
- Copy of official identification.
- Writing specifying the designation of the professionals responsible for the prescription; in original and two copies, on letterhead, and signed by the director of the institution in the case of hospital institutions.
- Once the procedure has been completed, Cofepris or the state health authorities will register the requesting professional and assign a certain number of keys in a barcode within a period of five business days in the case of the first request, and one day in the case of subsequent
Opinion on the use of medical cannabis in Latin America
The medicinal use of cannabis is an increasingly relevant issue in the field of health and medicine and its use is becoming more and more accepted in many countries around the world. According to data from Statista Consumer Insights, in Argentina, 39% of respondents said they would be willing to use medical cannabis as a treatment. In Chile this percentage was 28%, while in Brazil and Colombia it was 26% and 22%, respectively. In Mexico, 21%, and in Peru, 20%.
Of the Latin American countries present in the study, the Dominican Republic was the one that registered the lowest percentage: only 10% of those surveyed said they would be willing to use medical cannabis as a treatment.
In Argentina, the country (of all those surveyed) with the highest percentage in the region, patients who have a medical indication for the use of the Cannabis plant and its derivatives can purchase medicinal products made in the country or imported or purchase master formulations made by authorized pharmacies.
Although there is still some controversy surrounding the medical cannabis usemany studies have shown that it can be effective in treating various conditionssuch as epilepsy, anxiety, chronic pain and inflammation, among others, which is why it is a topic that deserves to be explored and debated in the medical and legal fields.
And in your case as a health professional, what do you think about the use of medical cannabis?
Also read:
Medical cannabis, does it help or harm mental health?
Does medical cannabis really work against insomnia?
Requirements to prescribe medical cannabis according to Cofepris