Medical cannabis reform is spreading around the world, and with it, the emerging global medical cannabis industry.
Cannabis-infused medical products can now be found everywhere planet, with a few exceptions.
Unfortunately, there are still some countries that ban medical cannabis, although this is becoming the norm every year.
Medical cannabis law models vary from country to country, from very restrictive CBD-only laws to solid medical cannabis programs such as those found in Germany.
Fortunately, the nation’s list of legal medical cannabis grew 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. While medical cannabis is legal in most other regions, Panama is the first to do so in its region.
In addition to creating a register of patients with medical cannabis, the new law allows the import, export, and the domestic cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Panama.
Medicinal cannabis legislation was initially approved by the Panamanian parliament in August before it was officially signed by President Laurentino Cortizo this month.
A domino effect?
It is a complicated situation when it comes to medical cannabis reform in Latin America.
Medical cannabis reform is now widespread in North and South America, but it has remained elusive to this point in Latin America, where lawmakers are more conservative when it comes to drug policy reform.
The region has been devastated by the drugs war, with many people being negatively affected by cartel violence and other crimes.
Hopefully, as medical cannabis succeeds in Panama, it will encourage other Latin American countries to follow in its footsteps.
The entire region will greatly benefit from taxes, fees, jobs and boosts to local economies that include a legalized cannabis industry.
