Complexities and potential of cannabis

Abstract

The passing of the Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes Act in 2018 in Portugal marked a paradigm shift. The legal cannabis market in Portugal has been growing with regard to the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

At a time when the expression "cannabis for medicinal purposes" is starting to be usual, whether in magazines, at thematic fairs, in the assembly of the republic and on television, it is necessary to clarify expressions.

Cannabis sativa is an extremely controversial plant. It has a complex botanical and chemical history. The clarification of the meaning of expressions and terms used is fundamental to reduce the ambiguity related to this subject.

If about 70 years ago, hemp (cannabis) was dealt with in the agricultural technical high school, today cannabis for medicinal purposes raises a lot of interest in higher education, particularly in health schools.

Schools can play an important role in preventing or retarding consumption behaviours by their students. Also there it is necessary to clarify the language.

We intend to contribute to the clarification of concepts (or expressions) such as "medical cannabis", "industrial cannabis" and "recreational cannabis".

The definition provided by law is not always taken into account, promoting ambiguity and controversy.

The understanding of the meaning of expressions and words in this area is essential to communicate, as clearly as possible, the knowledge developed in recent decades about this plant.