Argentina's President Mauricio Macri is expected to approve a bill to legalize the use of cannabis oil and other marijuana derivatives for medicinal purposes.

The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed the bill, which had already gotten the approval of the Chamber of Deputies.  The bill:  Establishes up a regulatory framework to allow doctors prescribe and distribute marijuana products to patients; and creates a medical marijuana research program at the Health Ministry, which must "guarantee free access" to cannabis oil and other derivatives to patients who join the program.

"This is a dream fulfilled, an immense happiness because it will bring solace to patients," said Maria Laura Alasi.  Her four-year-old daughter Josefina suffers from West syndrome, a form of epilepsy that causes seizures which campaigners believe are eased with the use of cannabis oil. 

While the legislation will allow the government to grow marijuana and importing cannabis oil.  But it stops short of allowing home-grown marijuana.

"I have faith the senators will find a way around that," said Ms. Alasi.  "A lot of mothers are already growing their own," she added.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Colombia, Chile and Mexico have all legalized the cultivation and use of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes.  Uruguay has fully legalized marijuana at every stage of production, sale, and consumption.