Peru votes to legalise medical marijuana
Peru's congress overwhelmingly approved the measure
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Peru has become the latest country to legalise marijuana for medicinal use.
The majority of Peru's congress approved the legalisation supported by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski by 68 votes to five.
Cannabis is normally prescribed for conditions like muscle spasms, chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy and cancer.
Originally the law was controversial due to Peru’s problem with drug gangs involved in its cocaine production. The country is the second-largest cocaine producer in the world.
Proponents emphasised that the measure is aimed at extracting components from marijuana to address specific ailments.
The proposal was sparked due to a police raid of in February that a group of parents who producing cannabis oil for children with cancer and severe cases of epilepsy.
Pro-government politician Alberto de Belaunde said before the vote: "Science is on our side, the regional current is on our side. Let's not let our fears paralyse us."
Peru joins other South and Central American countries Uruguay, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina who have legalised the drug for medicinal and scientific purposes.
The bill, which will allow the regulated production of cannabis oil, will be written into law within the next two months.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments