John Malanca hosts a discussion with Dr. Jordan Tishler, Dr. Adam Abodeely, Dr. Suraj Tandon, and Dr. Sandra Carrillo about medical cannabis regulations outside the United States, focusing on Colombia, Panama, Jamaica, and Canada.
Dr. Carrillo describes Colombia's prescription-based system for medical cannabis, highlighting challenges such as disruptions in the supply chain and the need for more diversified cannabinoid products. Panama has well-regulated but yet-to-be-implemented medical cannabis laws.
Dr. Abodeely discusses New York's evolving medical cannabis program and the more accessible, yet inconsistently regulated, market in Jamaica, emphasizing the dynamic between medical and recreational use.
Dr. Tandon outlines Canada's extensive medical cannabis framework and the issues created by the introduction of legal recreational cannabis, including the lack of mandatory physician certification for prescribing.
The conversation underscores the varying degrees of accessibility, regulatory frameworks, and international challenges, particularly in maintaining a consistent supply and facilitating cross-border medical cannabis use.
The discussion concludes with a call for better international trade policies and improved education and certification for physicians to ensure patient safety and access.