Government of SP discloses diseases that will be treated with cannabis

The government of São Paulo released the first three diseases that, in the state, can be treated using cannabis by the Unified Health System (SUS). Patients with Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome It is tuberous sclerosis will be able to receive the medication free of charge through the São Paulo public health network.

Yet there is no set date so that patients can pick up cannabis-based medicines at SUS units. When this happens, patients must present a medical report and prescription, in addition to proving that they are unable to make the purchase by their own means.

to the doctor Ronaldo LaranjeiraProfessor of Psychiatry at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) and PHD in chemical dependency by the University of Londonthere is no scientific proof for the release of cannabis.

“These cannabidiols have little scientific evidence. The World Health Organization or any other serious health organization does not endorse cannabidiol.”

Ronaldo Laranjeira, professor of Psychiatry at Unifesp and PHD in chemical dependency at the University of London.

The expert points out the exception of use. “Except for those cases of intractable epilepsy that have some evidence that it works, nobody recommends cannabidiol, except parasitic medical associations. The Brazilian Association of Psychiatry itself made a recent report in which it only indicates two or three very rare conditions and nothing more”, says doctor Laranjeira.

For the specialist doctor in the area, what concerns is the lack of supervision in Brazil and the trivialization of the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. “It is already happening that derivatives of marijuana are being distorted for the parallel market. This occurs in the United States and also here in Brazil. There is no inspection required. Many products derived from marijuana, such as candies, chocolates and drinks, are sold without any control”, he points out.

Laranjeira also observes that Brazil cannot even seize the marijuana that is transported in tons from one side of the country to the other, let alone its derivatives in small quantities, which can easily be placed in a common product of daily use, such as a pen. .

The doctor points out that there are good examples to mirror. “If we analyze the United States, we will see that this is not the path (of liberation). In the opposite direction, there is Sweden, Japan and Singapore, which have not made the subject trivial, nor the legalization of consumption. This is the path for Brazil: not to give in to lobby of pharmaceutical industries and people who can benefit from it”, completes Laranjeira.

Diseases that can be treated with cannabis in the state of São Paulo

• Dravet Syndrome: it is a rare disease that causes severe epilepsy and affects the neurodevelopment of the child.
• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: causes severe epilepsy among children and impacts mental and physical development.
• tuberous sclerosis: degenerative disease that can cause epileptic seizures, in addition to causing tumors that can affect various organs.