Network of medicinal mahiruana users in Ceará: a fight for regulation

Abstract

Since ancient times, the Cannabis sativa has been
present in the historical records of several societies
around the world. The drug prohibition movement
was responsible for criminalizing its use in Brazil. In
response to scientific advances, groups of users are
organizing politically to ensure access to cannabis
therapy. The objective of this research is to analyze
the formation of the network that seeks therapeutic
access to the plant in the state of Ceará. This study
included the participation of six people, two women
and four men, who form a network of medicinal
marijuana users in Ceará. The data were produced
through convenience sampling. The research
presents a social movement seeking to ensure access
to medicinal cannabis therapy. The data produced
indicate that legal prohibition hinders access to
treatment, impacting the quality of life of patients
and their families. In this sense, it can be inferred
that social organization, based on the formation of
formal and informal groups and associations, seeks
to mitigate the effects produced by the prohibition of
products derived from this plant. It is concluded that
in the state of Ceará, social networks drive progress
in access to the medicinal use of cannabis.