Dear Editor,

I wish to advise you of the formation of a new scientific advisory panel called GLEC (Grupo Latinoamericano de Expertos en Cannabinoides, Group of Cannabinoid Experts for the Latin American Region). The purpose of this group is to create a panel of experts who can guide their colleagues in the proper management of cannabinoid-derived drugs through different scientific and educational activities.

The initiative of the pharmaceutical industry formed the GLEC Latin America Group Panel and currently comprises eleven experts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru with different specialties such as Pain Management (Algology), Palliative Care, Neurology and Psychiatry (Table 1).

The panel met for the first time in Vancouver (August 26-27, 2019) and reviewed the published information related to the current uses of cannabinoids in the world. Likewise, the members analyzed the present situation of cannabinoids and the unmet needs in Latin America. After an intense discussion, the purpose and objectives of the group were established. Some of the agreements were to conduct clinical research related to the current statement of the use of medical cannabis in our countries; to investigate further and to generate publications regarding this topic.

As a group, we decided to write five articles in the coming months, including several topics focused on the Latin American reality. Some of them will deal with the certification process in the quality of Good Manufacturing Practices of the cannabinoids products in this region; other articles will analyze the results of a survey we will perform and submit in different medical societies. The results of such an investigation will measure the use and prescription trends in daily practice. We will also be working on a review article exclusively for Latin America on the reality in the use of cannabinoids and the regulatory approval processes, among other topics.

Most of the few published studies in international indexed magazines of cannabis in Latin America are related to the regulatory and legal aspects, but not to clinical experience. Thus, following the example of our Canadian colleagues¹, we consider conducting a Latin American consensus about cannabis use in some diseases such as pain.

We have identified that there is a lot of informal communication regarding medical cannabis for both healthcare practitioners and patients, which creates misconceptions about the use of these drugs. Likewise, we recognize that most healthcare professionals in Latin America have inadequate knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of medications derived from cannabinoids and that they have no experience in its use. The use of drugs containing cannabinoids has spread in recent years as a result of research and favorable results in various diseases such as chronic pain, refractory epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Then, due to the expansion of the use of cannabinoids as a new therapeutically option, we consider that it is crucial to properly guide both doctors and patients in the correct use of these drugs. Therefore, the group agreed on the aim of continuing medical education activities for healthcare practitioners and patients as a priority. Regarding medical education, we planned to create a robust online medical education program with free access with specific guidelines and information for general practitioners, different medical specialties such as pain specialists, neurologists, palliative care, etc., and other online training programs for patients. We will seek that the courses for the physicians have an endorsement from different medical societies.

The GLEC Latin America Group panel members are applying their knowledge and experience to highlight and address the unmet medical needs associated with the treatment of patients with chronic pain, refractory epilepsy, among other diseases. Their objectives are to overcome obstacles and to improve the practices and outcomes in the region.

This is the beginning of a new era regarding the drugs containing cannabinoids, and GLEC Latin America Group aims to be the leading part in generating and orienting the correct use of this treatment option.

The next GLEC meeting will take place soon this year. We plan to replicate this kind of meeting with local experts in our countries; meanwhile, articles and practical materials are being developed and will be disseminated at a regional level.