Brazilian Regulators To Vote On Medical Cannabis Proposals Tomorrow
Brazil is the largest nation in South America, as measured by population size, and the next closest country on the continent isn’t close. Brazil’s population of over 200 million people dwarfs the next closest country on the list, Colombia, which has a population of fewer than 50 million people.
A new, compassionate, and exciting industry being created out of thin air in Brazil would be a really big deal on a global scale because of how large the country is. Brazil is the fifth most populated country on earth.
That is what is happening right now, albeit slowly, right before our very eyes. The medical cannabis industry is coming to Brazil beyond imports of pharmaceutical-based cannabis medicines.
Multiple proposals of regulatory models are currently being considered by Brazilian regulators, with a vote expected tomorrow. The vote was originally expected last week until a delay was announced leading up to the vote. Per Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa):
Some suggestions from the Agency’s directors on the texts of the Resolutions to be deliberated on Tuesday (8/10) on cultivation and registration of cannabis-based medicines need to be evaluated. Tema returns to the agenda of the Anvisa Collegiate Board at the next meeting, scheduled for October 15.
Initially, topics discussing criteria for cultivation and registration of plant-based drugs would be deliberated at the Board meeting on Tuesday (10/08).
However, some suggestions from the Agency’s directors were presented to the text. Prior to consideration by the Board of the Agency, the new considerations will be evaluated by the technical areas related to the topic, as well as by the Anvisa Attorney.
Brazil is currently a leading importer of pharmaceutical-based cannabis medicine. It’s far from being an optimal situation. Those types of products are extremely expensive compared to cannabis flower and other cannabis product options that are available in many legal cannabis markets.
Pharmaceutical-based cannabis products are not effective for a large number of suffering patients in Brazil. Those patients need legal access to other forms of cannabis that can be consumed via a wide array of consumption methods.
Domestically cultivated cannabis is what Brazilian lawmakers tasked the government with building a regulatory framework for, and once that becomes a reality, Brazil will likely become home to some of the cheapest medical cannabis options in the world.
It is no secret that cannabis grows better and easier in many parts of South America compared to the rest of the world, similar to other agricultural products. Brazil is no exception. The climate in many parts of Brazil is ideal for sungrown cannabis cultivation.
Not only could Brazil produce its own medical cannabis cheaper than current options for legal cannabis imports, it very well could end up cultivating so much cannabis that it creates the opportunity for Brazil to become a top cannabis exporter to countries around the globe.
Suffering patients in Brazil deserve better medical cannabis options, and individuals and entities that can do honest work and provide quality medicine to those patients should be allowed to legally do so. Hopefully this week’s vote is favorable and Brazil moves closer to implementing a legal, regulated medical cannabis industry.