Medical cannabis regulation: an overview of models around the world with emphasis on the Brazilian scenario
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative policy and literature review without human clinical data (level 5 by design analogy).
OpenAlex W4282979528 · doi:10.1186/s42238-022-00142-z
What was done
The authors conducted a literature search between October 2020 and March 2021 to provide an overview of global regulatory frameworks for medical cannabis, with a specific focus on Brazil. The review examined supply and access models, quality-related issues of cannabis-based pharmaceutical products, and associated patient safety risks.
What was found
By March 2021, 36 countries had implemented regulatory frameworks for medical cannabis, and 16 countries had frameworks under development or in the process of implementation. Regulatory approaches varied significantly across jurisdictions regarding product types, technical quality standards, access mechanisms, cultivation policies, production licensing, and distribution models. In Brazil, despite regulatory developments since 2015, specific gaps remain unaddressed, particularly concerning domestic cultivation of the species and access for scientific research.
Why it matters
This review outlines the global divergence in medical cannabis policies and highlights specific regulatory challenges and restrictions affecting patient access and research in Brazil.
Limits
The review is descriptive and non-systematic, providing no clinical trial data, patient outcome measurements, or comparative efficacy metrics. The policy landscape was captured only through March 2021, and the abstract does not report specific search databases or formal inclusion criteria.
Cited by
- supports Cannabis was sold over the counter on pharmacy shelves in America around 1900 as a medicine for multiple ailments.