Mexican Senate approves use of medical marijuana

Mexican Senate passed the amendments to the General Health Law, which approve the use of marijuana for medical and research purposes.

Director of the Health Committee, Salvador López Brito said that the amendments, proposed by President Enrique Peña Nieto, were passed by unanimous decision.

The reform provides that the Ministry of Health should design and implement public policies to regulate the production, research and medical use of marijuana, and marijuana-based pharmaceutical drugs.

The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and nabilone are included in the second group of psychotropic substances, which means that have some therapeutic value, but are a serious problem for public health.

Hemp, including its oils and extracts, are located in the fourth group of psychotropic substances, which the General Health Act considers that have broad therapeutic uses and are a minor problem for public health.

The Ministry of Health will also authorize the importation of marijuana-based drugs, which are THC, its isomers and stereochemical forms.