Brazil medicinal cannabis associations report regulatory uncertainty

Medicinal cannabis patient associations in Brazil are reporting significant legal and operational uncertainty despite recent regulatory advancements. During the II Encontro Nacional Nordestino de Associações Canábicas in Fortaleza, representatives highlighted critical gaps in current norms, specifically regarding plant cultivation, sanitary controls, and the integration of cannabis into family farming.

While Anvisa's RDC 1.014/2026 established an experimental regulatory framework for non-profit associations, many organizations face practical risks. These include the seizure of shipments and the destruction of crops by police forces. Legal representatives, such as Maurício Gomes of Acaflor, noted that while a five-year adaptation period exists, associations frequently encounter law enforcement rather than sanitary inspectors due to a lack of clear jurisdictional guidance.

Sanitary authorities in Ceará have also expressed concern over the lack of practical instructions, which creates a vacuum for inspectors and increases insecurity within the sector. While Anvisa maintains that it promotes social participation and international research in its rulemaking process, associations continue to call for clearer technical criteria, THC limits, and definitive cultivation models to ensure patient access and legal safety.