Panama legalized medical cannabis on Monday, becoming the seventh country in Latin America, but the first in Central America, to approve reforms, Jurist reported. The bill was passed unanimously by Congress after five years of trying.
Home cultivation of cannabis remains legally illegal, and illegal production and sale of cannabis remains punishable by up to 10 to 15 years in prison. Advertising for cannabis products will also remain prohibited.
The measure would allow very limited commercial cultivation in Panama, relying on imports in tablet or liquid form, the report said. The Ministry of Health is tasked with distributing medical cannabis products to licensed dispensaries. Under the law, dispensaries must apply for a license to sell medical marijuana and pass an on-site inspection.
The bill would also require the creation of a medical marijuana patient registry and allow research on the cannabis plant, Reuters reported. Canex said the measure also includes language allowing medical marijuana for pets.
Congress President Crispiano Adames described the bill – which still needs to be signed by President Laurentino Cortizo – as “innovative”.
Another Central American country, Costa Rica, is also considering measures to legalize medical marijuana and cannabis domestically, Canex said. The bill is expected to be considered by lawmakers this month.
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TG Branfalt
TG joined Ganjapreneur in 2014 as a news writer and began hosting the Ganjapreneur podcast in 2016. He is based in upstate New York and also teaches media studies at a local university.
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