Peru: Congress Approves Use of Medicinal Marijuana

LIMA, Peru - Joining several other countries in the region, Peru has become the latest Latin American nation to approve the use of medicinal marijuana for treating serious illnesses.

The proposal for the decriminalization of the use of marijuana and its derivatives for medicinal purposes was submitted by the inter-party duo of Tania Pariona (left-wing Broad Front) and Alberto de Belaunde (center-right PPK).

The bill, which also permits the importation and commercialization of the medicinal marijuana products, was easily approved by a count of 67 votes in favor, 5 against and 3 abstentions by the unicameral legislature. The country's head-of-state, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, is expected to sign the bill into law later this week.

Once the bill is signed by Kuczynski, it is expected that the Health Ministry will create several registries, including those of an approved...