PATIENTS
Waiting for the law
Genre: Docuseries
Number of Episodes: 5
Running Time per Episode: 30 minutes
Director: Laura Ramos
Language: Portuguese with English subtitles
Status: In Production
Release Date: 2022
Patients is a documentary series that examines the use of medical cannabis in Portugal, before and after the approval of Law 33/2018, which legalised the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Consisting of 5 episodes of 30 minutes, this series tells the real stories of patients who decided to use cannabis as a form of treatment and who saw a significant improvement in their health, despite the difficulties in gaining access to the new medicine.
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The patients tell their own stories of perseverance and success, demonstrating how cannabis, until now essentially seen as a drug, can treat many diseases. Moreover, having no lethal dose, it has a safety profile far superior to that of most conventional medicines.
Whilst the patients will be the main protagonists of this series, the documentary will also include interviews with health professionals (doctors, pharmacists, researchers), members of parliament, government agencies and businesses already providing medicinal cannabis. The documentary will also highlight the legal issues applicable to cannabis in Portugal and the difficulties patients have had in seeking and obtaining medical cannabis and cannabis derivatives.
One of the main goals of Patients is to inform society about the therapeutic potential of cannabis and it’s ability to help in the treatment of a number of pathologies, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, anorexia, and many others. By giving real and credible information about the plant and the way it is being used in Portugal, particularly on a medicinal level, it hopes to challenge some of the existing prejudices in relation to cannabis.
Episode 1 "Waiting for the law"
The situation of medical cannabis in Portugal before there was a law that allowed its use for therapeutic purposes. The difficulties caused by the lack of any regulation, which meant that patients, and their families, faced daily obstacles in seeking help for their health condition and accessing cannabis products.
The view of politicians on the subject before the passing of the Law. Two doctors talk about the benefits of medical cannabis.
Episode 2 "Clinical applications of cannabis"
Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for over 7.000 years and we all have an endocannabinoid system, with several receptors, throughout the body, especially in the brain.
Through Interviews with doctors, pharmacists, researchers, we look at the scientific evidence and current clinical practice with cannabis. We will also try to understand the role of Infarmed – the Portuguese Authority of Medecines and Health Products and the pharmaceutical industry in the cannabis industry, a business that already moves many millions of euros.
Episode 3 "The history and politics of cannabis"
What do we know about cannabis? Most people have the wrong idea about cannabis, based on years of prohibition and prejudice, and are completely unaware that there are countless patients who benefit from it, and a very wide range of pathologies that can be treated with cannabinoids.
Interviews with members of parliament, historians, anthropologists who will explain where cannabis comes from and what it is for.
Episode 4 "The cannabis cycle"
How can we produce cannabis for medicinal purposes? What requirements are needed to produce medical grade cannabis and how is the plant processed in order for it to become a medicine?
This episode looks into the production, extraction and distribution of cannabis in Portugal and the economic and legal issues that apply. The economic aspect and how billions are generated in an industry ranging from fibers and paper to cosmetics and medicines. The difficulties in buying and selling and patient access.It includes interviews with licensed producers in Portugal, entrepreneurs, engineers, pharmacists and lawyers.
Episode 5 "Self-cultivation"
Self-cultivation, even for strictly medical purposes, is still banned in Portugal. But why is self-cultivation so important, but at the same time, such a divisive issue?
Interviews with politicians, producers and patients.