Efectos del estigma del cannabis en el proceso de exportación a México de los productos de la empresa Pideka

Abstract

The main problem addressed by this research lies in the cultural, social, and legal stigmas that still persist in Mexico regarding cannabis, which limit the acceptance and development of the market for derivative products, particularly affecting foreign companies like Pideka. In line with the general objective of the study—to analyze how these stigmas and regulatory policies impact the introduction and export of medicinal cannabis products to Mexico—a qualitative methodology was implemented. The work was based on conducting a semi-structured interview with a representative of the company Pideka, complemented by a review of secondary sources such as regulatory reports, academic articles, and specialized news. The categories of analysis were defined based on the theory of structural stigma, applied to the context of drug policies, which made it possible to examine how institutionalized negative perceptions influence the regulation and acceptance of medical cannabis. As a result, it was found that Pideka has faced significant barriers derived from social and legal stigma, but has responded through communication strategies focused on education, scientific legitimization, and institutional cooperation, in order to differentiate medical cannabis from recreational cannabis and establish an image of responsibility and transparency in the Mexican market.