Medical cannabis reform is spreading all over the globe, and with it, the emerging global medical cannabis industry.
Cannabis-infused medical products can now be found all over the planet, with some exceptions.
Unfortunately, there are still some countries out there that prohibit medical cannabis, although that is becoming less of the norm with every passing year.
Medical cannabis law models vary from country to country, from very restrictive CBD-only laws to robust medical cannabis programs like those found in Germany.
Thankfully, the list of legal medical cannabis nations increased this month.
Legal Medical Cannabis In Panama
In a historic move for the Latin American region, Panama officially legalized cannabis for medical use this month.
Panama is the first country in Latin America to legalize cannabis for medical use. Whereas medical cannabis is legal in most other regions, Panama is the first to do so in its region.
In addition to creating a medical cannabis patient registry, the new law allows for the import, export, and domestic cultivation of medical cannabis in Panama.
The medical cannabis legislation was initially passed by Panama’s Parliament back in August before being officially signed into law by President Laurentino Cortizo this month.
A Domino Effect?
It’s a complicated situation when it comes to medical cannabis reform in Latin America.
Medical cannabis reform is fairly widespread now in North and South America, however, it remained elusive until this point in Latin America where lawmakers are more conservative when it comes to drug policy reform.
The region has been ravaged by the drug war, with many people having been negatively impacted by cartel violence and other crime.
Hopefully as medical cannabis succeeds in Panama it will encourage the remaining Latin American countries to follow in their footsteps.
The entire region would greatly benefit from taxes, fees, jobs, and boosts to local economies that come with a legalized cannabis industry.
