In a home in Guaruja, a coastal city in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a 4-year-old boy named Murillo faced a seizure, a common occurrence for him due to his diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. His mother, Janaína Silva, watched with concern as the seizure passed quickly, thanks in part to the liquid cannabidiol (CBD) treatment Murillo had been receiving. The CBD, obtained for free through the state public health system, has significantly reduced the duration and intensity of Murillo’s seizures.
CBD, a compound found in marijuana, has been shown to help reduce seizures in individuals with severe forms of epilepsy. Despite the benefits, acquiring CBD can be costly, with a bottle prescribed for Murillo priced at $180 in drugstores, a significant portion of Silva’s monthly income. Fortunately, in Sao Paulo, the first state in Brazil to make CBD available for free, families like Silva’s have access to this life-changing treatment.
The advocacy of mothers like Maria Aparecida Carvalho, who fought for access to CBD for her daughter Clárian, diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, played a crucial role in the eventual passage of legislation allowing for the use of medical cannabis derivatives in Brazil. Despite the decriminalization of recreational marijuana in June, access to medicinal cannabis and its derivatives remains a priority for patients in need.
State lawmaker Caio França spearheaded the bill that enabled families to request CBD through the public health care system, emphasizing the importance of making medication accessible to all patients, regardless of their financial status. The bill, signed into law in January 2023, was a significant step forward in providing relief to individuals with conditions like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.
The acceptance and usage of medicinal cannabis in Brazil have been steadily increasing, with over 430,000 Brazilians receiving treatment with cannabis derivatives in 2023 alone. Leading figures in the medical field, such as neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro, recognize the efforts of mothers advocating for the benefits of CBD for their children and highlight the ongoing battle for comprehensive access to medical cannabis.
For Silva, Murillo’s mother, the transformation in her perception of marijuana has been profound, as she witnesses the positive impact of CBD on her son’s quality of life. The journey towards wider acceptance and availability of medical cannabis in Brazil continues, driven by the experiences and resilience of families seeking relief for their loved ones.
