Experts believe that, as has happened with the development of other supply chains such as automotive or aerospace, one of the pillars that will give way to the development of the industry will come from foreign companies that will bring the technologies and research they have developed from the legalization of the pharmaceutical use of cannabis, through alliances or mergers with the Mexican firms that will adopt these guidelines.
Research on the medicinal properties of the plant will be one of the areas with the greatest opportunity for development. Lorena Beltrán, general director of CannabiSalud, a firm specialized in organizing forums and promotional and informational events on cannabis, comments that Mexico can be a leader in science given the strength of the pharmaceutical industry, which can explore the properties and even discover some compounds of cannabis, which has not been fully studied.
“There is an opportunity for Mexico to be a leader in science, in the development of cannabis-based drugs, in the maquila and in creating products,” he says. “There is also an opportunity to transfer the research that has been done in other countries and bring it to Mexico, conclude here and mix medicinal products here,” he says.
The development opportunity for medicinal cannabis in Mexico is latent, given that the market will be worth $ 3.5 million and will reach $ 54.5 million in 2024, according to projections from the Statista consultancy.
“These laboratories have years of advantage for us and the associations will have technology transfer to the Mexican territory and it will be noticed through patents or industrial transactions that will allow competitive advantages in the market. When Mexico is a developer, we will be the spearhead and then there will be an opportunity to export products that have been technically developed in Mexico, such as special pesticides ”, says Carlos Solórzano.
The current law already allows the cultivation of the plant for the research and development of medicines, which paves the way for those who cultivate the plant to establish a purchase-sale relationship with pharmaceutical companies that have permits to manufacture medicines based on of cannabis.
Those who wish to sell the plant as part of the production chain have to verify with the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) the purposes of medicinal use of the production of the plant. Although this opportunity, Beltrán believes, is not for everyone.
“The market is very complex and very large investments are required and having a relationship with the pharmaceutical industry is not easy, growers have to be involved with professionals and scientists, for this type of permit to be approved”, he declares.