In 2023, a significant victory was achieved for families struggling with epilepsy in Brazil. São Paulo, the country’s most populous state, enacted a law making CBD-based medicines accessible and free across all public and private health facilities associated with the Brazilian Unified Health System. This groundbreaking reform was the result of a decade-long fight by mothers whose children desperately needed these life-saving medications.
Mothers like Janaína Silva, whose four-year-old son Murillo suffers from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, have been at the forefront of this movement. Murillo’s seizures, which were once agonizingly long, have been significantly reduced thanks to a regular dose of liquid CBD provided free of charge through the state’s public health system. Before this, a single 30-milliliter bottle of CBD, costing around 800 reais ($180), represented more than half of Janaína’s monthly wage.
While São Paulo has taken a momentous step, the federal government has yet to make CBD-based medical products accessible for free at the national level. Mothers like Maria Aparecida Carvalho, whose daughter Clarian suffers from Dravet Syndrome, another severe form of epilepsy, are leading the charge for further reform.
Carvalho’s journey is particularly inspiring. When all other medications failed for Clarian, Carvalho turned to CBD. She secured court permission to cultivate marijuana at home and has been producing the extract for her daughter and over 200 other patients. This act of defiance was inspired by the story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome who became a symbol of hope for families around the world.
Charlotte’s case, documented in a 2013 CNN documentary hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, highlighted the effectiveness of CBD in treating severe epilepsy. Her story led to the development of Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved cannabinoid seizure medication, which is now used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Charlotte’s legacy continues to inspire families and advocates, proving the power of individual stories to drive meaningful change.
The fight for broader access to CBD-based medicines in Brazil is far from over. While the country’s Supreme Court recently voted to decriminalize cannabis for personal use, the cultivation of marijuana remains illegal, making it difficult and expensive to access these essential medical treatments. Mothers of children in need are determined to continue their fight for reform, advocating for easier and potentially free access to these life-saving plant-based medicines.
This movement is not just about access to CBD-based medicines; it’s about recognizing the power of plant medicine and the potential it holds for treating a wide range of conditions. As more countries and individuals embrace the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, the future looks promising for those who need these alternative therapies the most.
