Traveling The World With Legal Cannabis: Fascinating Case Of Lawyer Who Carries Marijuana In His Luggage

Piero Liebman is not your typical lawyer. At 31, this specialist in public international law embarked on a journey many might consider risky: traveling the world with 40 grams of dried cannabis flowers and 10 grams of medical marijuana extract in his luggage. His mission? To prove that access to health should know no borders.

Armed with his Reprocann permit – an authorization from Argentina allowing patients to use cannabis for medicinal purposes – Piero set off to places like Barcelona, Berlin, London, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and El Salvador. At each stop, he not only sought to assert his rights as a patient but also to establish precedents and spark conversations about the need for more inclusive regulations.

The Argentine Cannabis Advocate Lands In Europe

Piero’s journey began on March 10, 2023 with a trip to Barcelona where he attended Spannabis, one of the world's leading cannabis fairs. “The idea for the journey stemmed from the strong ties between Europe and Argentina around cannabis regulations. More companies are eager to come here, and I already have several clients there,” he explained in an interview.

Before his departure, he conducted meticulous research into European laws and bilateral agreements with Argentina. Spanish consular authorities in Argentina advised him to carry his Reprocann permit along with a doctor's prescription. He also consulted Spain's Tax Agency and airport customs, ultimately entering Spain via Uruguay without issue.

In Germany and the United Kingdom, Piero continued his travels with his medical marijuana in hand. Although each country has its own regulations regarding the medicinal use of cannabis, his experience underscored the differences between European policies and the need for broader dialogue on the issue. In Germany, where steps toward recreational cannabis legalization were underway (though not yet in effect during his visit), his Argentine documentation attracted attention from the authorities. Piero's presence with his Reprocann permit highlighted the variations in regulations across countries, underscoring the importance of harmonizing policies to facilitate access to medical treatments on a global scale.

Reprocann: The Real ‘Green Card’

Reprocann proved invaluable, serving as both a legal shield and a symbol of Argentina's progressive cannabis regulations.

Piero’s experience underscores that, with proper preparation and documentation, it's possible to navigate complex international laws and exercise one's right to healthcare.

Latin America: Breaking Barriers In Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay And El Salvador

After his European journey, Piero took his mission to Latin America, starting with Brazil. There, he faced an issue Brazilian authorities regarding his right to enter with his Reprocann permit. Leveraging contacts from previous events, he teamed up with Italo Coelho and Emilio Figueredo to file a writ of habeas corpus against the Brazilian government for denying his healthcare rights. The court's favorable ruling allowed him to enter Brazil with 40 grams of cannabis flowers and 2 grams of extract for personal use during his stay.

His success in Brazil was not a fluke, it marked a crucial step in the regional patient rights movement. Understanding the potential cultural and geographic advantages, Piero hoped his travels would not only validate his rights but inspire others and encourage constructive discussions on Latin American regulations.

In Colombia, Piero found a more receptive environment. “Anyone with a Reprocann and a Colombian health permit can bring their cannabis flowers and medicinal derivatives from Argentina to Colombia,” he said on his social media

On the other hand, Paraguay posed an additional challenge. Invited to speak before the Senate on a regulatory project, he also secured an entry permit from DINAVISA for 10 grams of cannabis. However, the permit was given with a condition. “It was granted on grounds of ‘addiction' rather than as a health-related treatment, which motivates us to keep working [to change that perception],” Piero told El Planteo.

The most personal chapter of his journey took place in El Salvador. "We worked for a year and a half with the Consulate and the Superintendent of Health Regulation to secure authorization to bring in what Reprocann allows," he shared. For Piero, this meant returning to a country where he had lived for several years and personally experienced the difficulties of access and stigma surrounding cannabis.

A Journey Beyond Borders And Personal Boundaries

Piero's travels go beyond personal adventure…they are a call to action. “Cannabis access is healthcare, and healthcare is a right,” he emphasized in an interview. His journey sheds light on the inconsistencies and challenges that patients face worldwide.

Despite uncomfortable moments at customs and skeptical glances, Piero's resolve is unwavering. Each country he visits, each conversation he initiates, moves him closer to the normalization of medical cannabis and the recognition of patient rights.

The Future Of Medical Marijuana: Toward Global Regulation

Piero Liebman's case could mark the start of a trend toward transnational access to medicinal cannabis. His journey illustrates that, with the right documentation and preparation, other patients might one day legally transport their treatments across borders.

Argentina's Reprocann is emerging as a model in this movement. Beyond borders and bureaucratic obstacles, Piero's story reminds us that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. His odyssey invites us to rethink current regulations and work towards a future where medicinal treatments are accessible to all, no matter where they are in the world.

Article via El Planteo

Cover image made with AI