The Decriminalization of Marijuana in Brazil Beyond the Medicinal Use: Cannabis Associations and Human Rights

Francisco Savoi de Araujo and Mauro Machado Chaiben

The year 2021 began with heavy regret in the marijuana scene in Brazil, with the news of the death of Priest Antônio Luiz Madchioni, affectionately known as “Padre Ticão.” His strong religious and social leadership gained prominence in the Parish of São Francisco de Assis, located in Ermelino Matarazzo, in the east side of São Paulo. Since 1982, the priest had been working on defending the poorest population and seeking to reduce social inequalities, having been engaged, in recent years, in defending the use of marijuana. This vanguard positioning was motivated by a shortage envisioned in the Catholic Church in facing the needs of the present times, especially with regard to actions to improve the quality of life and dignity of the population... continue reading.