Mexico, .- The medical industry has managed to snatch marijuana to the world of drug trafficking and crime, which is coming a revolution in terms of the treatment of diseases such as epilepsy and sclerosis, among others, said on Thursday the former Mexican president Vicente Fox (2000-2006).
During the inauguration of the First Medical Symposium of Medicinal Cannabis, the now member of the board of directors of the company Khiron Life Science pointed out that “before there was the image of drug addiction” related to this plant.
However, now “it is necessary to put an end to this outdated vision and assume responsibility for a new industry,” he said.
The businessman also said that the panorama of opportunity presented “for an activity that was in the hands of criminals, illegality and the underworld” is surprising.
However, he said, it is necessary to legalize this drug, which has had a slow progress in the countries of Latin America.
In fact, he pointed out that “all drugs must be legalized, it must remain in the hands of responsible citizens to consume or not and in the hands of professionals the creation of this industry.”
He argued that it is necessary to legalize marijuana in Latin America, especially for medical use.
However, he pointed out that there must be a lot of information and education in the use of this plant and its by-products, since this “can transform the health system of Mexico” and other countries in Latin America.
As an entrepreneur, he said, “we want to bring this paradigmatic change to Mexico and be leaders in the world as we already are in Latin America.”
In that sense, Julio Sánchez y Tepoz, co-founder of Khiron Life Science and president of the Latin American Association of Regulatory Affairs Professionals, said that marijuana has historically faced a prohibitive scenario.
That is why, he explained, that research on the benefits of this plant have faced challenges and even “there has been a legal prosecution or sanctions against researchers.”
He explained there has been a lack of financial resources for education and governments have shown regulatory resistance to the registration of marijuana-based drugs.
According to your data, only 10 governments in Latin America and the Caribbean have passed laws in this regard.
While Mexico, a country of 126 million people, seems ready this year to legalize the drug for recreational use, after Uruguay, which legalized it last year.
According to BMO Capital Markets estimates published last year, sales of medicinal cannabis in the region could exceed 15,000 million dollars by 2025.
During the Symposium medical specialists of international stature discussed about the need for information and education of health professionals so that marijuana is seen as a therapeutic option in various neurological diseases and pain care. (EFE)
