Global Ganja Report

Panama may be the next Latin American country to pass a medical marijuana law, with the nation's National Assembly now debating a measure. But, in sharp contrast to that in neighboring Colombia, the Panamanian program would fly pretty close to the ground. In a play to social conservatives, the law would only allow imports, and users would be limited to extracts rather than herbaceous cannabis. And even this may face a fight from opposition lawmakers.

The first of the three scheduled debates on a medical marijuana measure opened in Panama's unicameral National Assembly last week. Law 595 would "authorize and regulate the medicinal use of cannabis," the legislative body said in a tweet. 

The bill is the project of José Castillo, president of the assembly's Health Commission, who first introduced it in November. He said the measure is aimed at helping the seriously ill, so "they don't feel like contrabandistas" when they access their medicine.

Castillo broached a role for private enterprises in the program, "if they provide employment and development, pay taxes." But he was clear the such businesses would be restricted to importing and distribution—not production. "This project will depenalize the introduction of medications into the country," Castillo was quoted by Spanish news agency EFE.

And consumers will be limited to "liquid marijuana," as it is being called—cannabis oils, tinctures or extracts that can be administered orally. Castillo also insisted that there will be no discussion of a general legalization of cannabis, such as now seen in Uruguay.

"I am a doctor, and I am conscious of the benefits of this type of substances in certain illnesses," he was quoted in La Estrella de Panamá. "These laws are functioning well in other countries. We don't want to legalize marijuana for recreational use, but only and exclusively for medicinal and therapeutic use, in its liquid form."

He stressed that the liquid form is not addictive (a problematic statement, as it falsely implies the herbaceous form can be), and that it is highly effective for "infants with epilepsy problems, cancer sufferers, and certain forms of chronic pain."

Lawmakers heard testimony from patients who use medicinal cannabis, as well as from leaders in Panama's medical field, who said they did not oppose the measure, according to the National Assembly website. Especially named as speaking in support of the proposal is Erika Nota, the mother of a young boy named Rocco who suffers from epilepsy. 

The measure may also fall prey to politics. It could prove an obstacle that Castillo is from the ruling Partido Panameñista, which is none too popular right now. In early January, thousands protested outside the mansion of President Juan Carlos Varela, demanding prison terms and (ominously) even a "death sentence" for corrupt officials. The protest came after the announcement that judicial authorities are investigating 63 officials over possible kickbacks from the scandal-plagued Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

The conservative Partido Panameñista is generally opposed by more left-populist parties. Hopefully, these will not paradoxically adopt a more social-conservative posture on the cannabis question merely to oppose an initiative from the ruling party.

This caution in Panama is vividly contrasted by the burgeoning cannabis industry in neighboring Colombia. There, foreign capital is pouring into the new cannabis sector, and licensed grow operations are proliferating. And the medical marijuana program that has made this possible was also put into place by the otherwise essentially conservative administration of President Juan Manuel Santos. In Colombia, the pragmatic conservative Santos and the left opposition came together in support of the initiative. We'll soon see if Panama will repeat this pattern.

Cross-post to Cannabis Now

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