Health

Cannabis self-cultivation, the tireless struggle of the chronically ill in Peru

Lima, Jan 19 (EFE).- (Camera: Mikhail Huacán) Having real access to medicinal cannabis and legalizing its self-cultivation are the claims of patients with chronic ailments in Peru, where the debate on public drug policies, relegated for decades, flared up after statements by a congressman who admitted smoking marijuana.FOOTAGE OF PROTESTS IN FAVOUR OF THE USE OF CANNABIS.SOUNDBITES AND FOOTAGE OF PERUVIAN ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST FRANCESCA BRIVIO.Translation:"I have chronic pain. Inflammation both inside and outside, of the organs, my brain can get inflamed so sometimes I can't even think straight. I have memory problems, speaking, my uterus would get inflamed and they ended up taking it out. I get illnesses because of it, pneumonia, my ribs broke from coughing. I was in a wheelchair for a year, then I had to use it again. I had many gastrointestinal problems, blurred vision... It has many symptoms. I'd spend a lot of time in bed and had no energy. Sometimes more, sometimes less, because it sometimes gets worse, so I was offered a hit (of a joint) so that I'd be more relaxed. I took a couple of hits and not only did it just relax me, it also alleviated the pain. I hadn't felt so good in so long." "I think that as a patient, I have the right to go to the pharmacy and buy my medicine (with cannabis), I have the right to know what it has and for the insurance to cover it."