Brazil Authorizes Domestic Medical Cannabis Cultivation for First Time

Brazil will allow domestic cultivation of medical cannabis for the first time, marking a major shift in Latin America's largest potential market after years of relying solely on imported products.

The new regulations, approved by Brazil's health regulatory agency ANVISA, permit licensed companies to grow cannabis within the country's borders while simultaneously expanding patient access to medical cannabis products. The dual policy change positions Brazil to become a significant player in the global medical cannabis industry.

"This represents a fundamental transformation in how Brazil approaches medical cannabis," said Maria Santos, a São Paulo-based cannabis policy analyst. "Until now, patients could only access imported products, which were expensive and often difficult to obtain."

Market Impact

Brazil's population of 215 million has long been viewed as an untapped opportunity by international cannabis companies. However, the import-only model created significant barriers—products often cost three to five times more than in North American markets, and customs delays could leave patients without medication for weeks.

Domestic cultivation is expected to dramatically reduce costs and improve supply chain reliability. Industry observers estimate the Brazilian medical cannabis market could reach $4.7 billion by 2030 if domestic production scales successfully.

Several international cannabis companies with existing import licenses in Brazil have already announced plans to explore cultivation partnerships with local agricultural firms. Colombia-based producers, who previously supplied much of Brazil's imported cannabis, may face new competition from domestic growers.

Patient Access Provisions

The expanded access measures allow more Brazilian patients to qualify for medical cannabis prescriptions. ANVISA widened the list of qualifying conditions and simplified the prescription process, which previously required multiple specialist approvals.

Patient advocacy groups estimate roughly 200,000 Brazilians currently use medical cannabis products, mostly through imports or the gray market. The new regulations could expand that number to over one million patients within three years.

"We've been fighting for this for nearly a decade," said João Rodrigues, director of a Brazilian patient advocacy organization. "Patients shouldn't have to choose between their medication and paying rent."

What's Next

ANVISA will begin accepting cultivation license applications in the coming months. The agency hasn't specified how many licenses it plans to issue initially, though sources familiar with the process suggest a phased rollout starting with 10-15 companies.

Brazilian agricultural companies with expertise in controlled environment farming are expected to dominate early applications. The country's robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector may also play a role in processing and formulation.

The first domestically-grown medical cannabis products likely won't reach Brazilian patients until late 2025 or early 2026, given the time required for licensing, cultivation, testing, and regulatory approval of finished products.

Brazil joins a growing list of Latin American countries permitting medical cannabis cultivation, including Colombia, Uruguay, and Mexico. The region's favorable growing conditions and lower labor costs have attracted significant international investment in recent years.

This article is based on original reporting by mjbizdaily.com.