The National Seeds Institute allows the registration of Cannabis sativa L varieties
By Belen Recchini.
The Ministry of Health and the National Seeds Institute (INASE, by its initials in Spanish) issued Joint Resolution No. 5/2021 (“Resolution”) authorizing the registration of a national germplasm of Cannabis sativa L. for medicinal use under the National Register of Cultivars (RNC, by its initials in Spanish) and/or the National Register of Property of Cultivars (RNPC, by its initials in Spanish).
As a result of the Resolution, varieties of national and foreign Cannabis sativa L. germplasm that meet the requirements provided for in the applicable legislation may be registered with the above-mentioned authorities.
The Resolution is issued under Law No. 27.350 on “Medicinal Use of the Cannabis Plant and its Derivatives” (“Law”) and its Regulatory Decree No. 883/2020. The purpose of the Law is to improve the development of tools and instruments aimed to help timely and fair access to the Cannabis plant and its derivatives, for medicinal, therapeutic and/or palliative treatment of pain.
The applicant of the registration must submit a report detailing the technical basis of the registration, which shall be considered an affidavit in order to verify that the registration falls within the scope of the Law. The applicant shall also submit the certificate issued by the Ministry of Health as a requirement for registration.
This measure allows the improvement of the standardization of the genetics obtained and submit them to national certifications, for subsequent complication as nominated seeds, to be used as supplies in the production cultivars of proven quality.
The Registration might also ensure health safety and quality of the product, while allowing those who grow their own plants access to quality seeds with certified identification and, to those who consume their products, to obtain reliable information about them.
The registration will also allow the commercialization and possibly the use of the breeder’s right by those who have researched and studied the properties of the seed of this species, recognizing the value and experience of the researches related to the standardization of Cannabis sativa L. seeds carried out in Argentina.
The registration of domestic and foreign varieties will allow to obtain information on the profile of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from the different varieties of Cannabis which may lead to better researches, greater access and broadening the development of domestic production of the species, in small, medium or large scale.
This regulation will position Argentina in the global market for products derived from the Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa) in line with the global advances towards legalizing it for use for scientific, medicinal and commercial purposes.
At Ojam Bullrich Flanzbaum, we count on a team of professionals with extensive experience in this field, who may offer comprehensive, customized and adapted solutions to the specific needs of each of our clients.
For further information please contact: brecchini@ojambf.com.
