National Health Surveillance Agency Expands Use of Medical Cannabis and Is Expected to Approve Cultivation in Brazil - Folha de S.Paulo

Brazil’s Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) approved a resolution on Wednesday (28) expanding the permitted uses of cannabis-based therapies in the country. The new regulation allows cannabidiol sales through compounding pharmacies and the registration of oral, sublingual and dermatological products. It also permits the use of products with THC concentrations above 0.2% for patients with severe, debilitating illnesses—previously restricted to terminal or palliative cases.

The agency also authorized the importation of the plant or extracts for the manufacture of medicines and removed limitations on exceptional imports by patients. In addition, Anvisa is reviewing regulations to govern cannabis cultivation in Brazil for medical and research purposes, in compliance with a ruling by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). The proposed rules require cultivation to take place in controlled and monitored facilities. For medicines, THC content will be capped at 0.3%, while research activities will not be subject to concentration limits.