2021 LS&HC Horizons - Flipbook - Page 74
74
Hogan Lovells
Medicinal use of cannabis: A reality in Mexico
After several years and the granting of
several extensions given to the Congress by
the Supreme Court of Justice, finally on 12
January, 2021, the first statute for formally
regulating the medicinal use of cannabis in
Mexico was enacted.
The Regulations to the General Health Law
for the Sanitary Control of the Production,
Research and Medicinal Use of Cannabis
and its Pharmacological Derivatives, have
as main purpose the harmonization of the
applicable legal framework with respect to
the amendments to the General Health Law
and the Federal Criminal Code regarding
cannabis matters.
With the publication of this new statute,
different activities such as the: (i) growing, (ii)
production; (iii) pharmacological and medical
research, (iv) manufacture, (v) importation,
(vi) exportation, and (vii) marketing of
cannabis and its pharmacological derivatives
for preventive and therapeutic purposes will be
now permitted in Mexico.
Ernesto Algaba Reyes
Partner, Mexico City
ernesto.algaba@hoganlovells.com
Even though the regulations do not cover
products with agronomic and industrial
purposes, such as the control of products
with large industrial uses containing cannabis
derivatives of less than 1 percent of THC
(e.g., food, cosmetic products, etc.), this new
legal framework is a big step forward for the
regulation of cannabis and the access to the
population to new and innovative treatment
alternatives, representing a momentum for
the pharmaceutical industry and cannabis
producers for investing in new jurisdictions and
new areas of treatment.
For now, the main challenge is the correct
and efficient implementation of the provisions
of the regulations by the Health, Economy,
Customs and Agricultural authorities in
Mexico, for pursuing a successful and
innovative framework.
Cecilia Stahlhut
Counsel, Mexico City
cecilia.stahlhut@hoganlovells.com
