Cannabis has been prohibited for decades, but in the past few years, attitudes have started shifting. The U.S. has been one of the pioneer countries, with numerous states allowing either recreational use, medical use or both, and generating billions of dollars in sales. Canada hasn’t done so bad either, with the world’s largest cannabis company, Canopy Growth situated in Smith Falls, Ontario. However, one country that seems to have made quite progressive marijuana reforms while staying relatively under the radar is Argentina.
In 2009, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling, the Arriola decision, declaring that personal use of small amounts of marijuana was legal. It was based on a case involving five people who were arrested for possessing small amounts of cannabis, and the court determined that as long as it is meant for personal use only, cannot affect or hurt anyone else and does not pose any harm or danger, small amounts of cannabis are not illegal. As the court stated, “each adult is free to make lifestyle decisions without the intervention of the state,” and in the meantime, the time and resources that would have been spent on marijuana possession cases goes to more worthwhile causes.
Trafficking of cannabis is still illegal in the country, however, and can attract a prison sentence of 4-15 years. Commercial growing is also illegal for residents.
Medical marijuana, on the other hand, was legalized by a March 2017 bill. The legislation requires patients who want access to medical marijuana to register with the national program, with approved patients, including children, being guaranteed free access. Personal cultivation is still illegal for medical cannabis and it carries a sentence of up to two years.
A section of the medical marijuana legislation mandated the creation of the National Program for the Study and Research of the Medicinal Use of the Cannabis Plant and its By-Products and Non-Conventional treatments. Basically Argentina’s medical marijuana program is intended to provide access to medical cannabis, and the law states that those who require medicine from cannabis can receive it for free. As long as you qualify as a patient, you will have access to free medical cannabis oil. The program is also set up as a research initiative and the free cannabis oil is given as part of the research program.
At the moment, only the most debilitating illnesses qualify one for medical marijuana, but more illnesses may be included as the program expands. Still, the government has made efforts to ensure patients can get medicine whether they have money or not, and other territories should also aim to establish a medical cannabis program aimed at helping their citizens.
It would be interesting to hear what cannabis companies like SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) have to say about the approach taken by Argentina in granting patients access to medical marijuana.
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