Science
Beatriz Emygdio: "Brazil has the potential to be a global leader in the cannabis sector."
Listen to this article
The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) was officially authorized The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has authorized scientific research on cannabis cultivation in Brazil. In an interview with CannaReporter®, Beatriz Emygdio, president of Embrapa's Permanent Committee for Strategic Cannabis Advisory, says that this is "a milestone for Brazilian agricultural science" and that the country "has the potential to be a global leader in the cannabis sector, provided that the regulatory framework allows for predictability and continuous investment."
A exceptional authorization It was granted on November 19th by ANVISA to Embrapa, who had already been working on the project for about two years. It exclusively allows scientific research on cannabis cultivation, prohibiting any type of commercialization. "No product resulting from the research may be commercialized. Embrapa may only send plant material unsuitable for propagation to other duly authorized research institutions," states the Brazilian government's press release.
In statements to CannaReporter®, Beatriz Emygdio, a biologist and researcher in the area of genetics and breeding of annual crops, as well as president of the Permanent Committee for Strategic Advisory on Cannabis at Embrapa, did not hide the extreme happiness that the entire team felt upon receiving the news. “We are all very happy. This authorization crowns the work of a multidisciplinary team, which began almost two years ago when Embrapa decided to include cannabis in its research portfolio,” she stated.
This authorization paves the way for Embrapa to establish its own scientific base on cannabis in the country, reduce dependence on imported inputs, and support future regulatory decisions. The authorization allows Embrapa to conduct cannabis research activities in a controlled environment, including cultivation, genetic improvement, and agronomic studies, with the goal of developing varieties adapted to Brazil's climatic and agricultural conditions. This measure comes at a time when the country is experiencing significant growth in demand for medicinal cannabis products, despite still being largely dependent on imports.
According to the rapporteur of the process, Thiago Lopes Cardoso Campos, director of the Fifth Directorate of ANVISA, the authorization reinforces the Agency's commitment to science, innovation, and health safety. “Science should guide the country. This authorization allows Brazil to produce its own knowledge, strengthen its technological autonomy, and fulfill its duty to public health and national development,” he stated.
Campos also mentioned that the research authorization allows the country to produce its own knowledge, strengthen technological autonomy, and advance in challenges related to public health and national development.
Improving Brazil's competitiveness in the global cannabis sector.
“The authorization from ANVISA represents a milestone for Brazilian agricultural science. It allows Embrapa to move forward rigorously and safely in building a cannabis production chain adapted to Brazil, strengthening scientific sovereignty and paving the way for highly competitive agricultural, industrial and medicinal solutions,” Beatriz Emygdio emphasized to CannaReporter®.
Until now, Brazilian regulations only allowed the importation of cannabis products for medicinal use, with a medical prescription and authorization from ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency), keeping cultivation heavily restricted to court decisions granted to associations or patients. With this authorization, a new phase for public research opens, with a potential direct impact on the development of national varieties, cost reduction, and patient access to treatments.
Brazil currently has around 700,000 patients authorized to import cannabis-based products, primarily cannabidiol (CBD) oils. However, the lack of large-scale domestic production keeps prices high and limits access. Embrapa's research could be crucial in changing this scenario in the medium term.
Despite the progress, the future of scientific research and the cannabis production chain in Brazil remains dependent on the evolution of the legal framework. For the Embrapa researcher, the next step will be crucial.
“The future of cannabis research in Brazil depends on regulations that recognize the importance of public science and guarantee adequate conditions for research, production, and innovation. The expectation is that the new Anvisa regulation will simplify procedures, define objective criteria for cultivation, differentiate purposes (medicinal, industrial, research), and offer legal security for institutions and companies. Brazil has the potential to be a global leader in the cannabis sector, provided that the regulatory framework allows for predictability and continuous investment,” emphasized Beatriz Emygdio.
The decision by ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency) is seen as a clear sign that Brazil is beginning to align itself with other countries that have already recognized the strategic value of cannabis as an agricultural crop, industrial raw material, and therapeutic resource. For now, Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) is preparing to begin experimental work, which could lay the foundation for a future national production chain for medicinal cannabis.
What will Embrapa be researching?
The authorization allows the company to develop three main lines of study:
- Conservation and characterization of germplasm (Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology). Germplasm is the genetic material of a plant, fundamental for studies and genetic improvement;
- Scientific and technological basis for Cannabis medicinal (Embrapa Clima Temperado);
- Pre-breeding of hemp for fiber and seeds (Embrapa Algodão).
Embrapa justified the request by citing the "growing global interest in cannabis, which today has economic, social, environmental and medicinal importance." The company also reaffirmed that it is prepared to meet all the technical and safety requirements defined by ANVISA.
Before beginning the studies, Embrapa will undergo an on-site inspection by ANVISA and must meet a series of requirements to ensure the safety and control of the material. The authorization will be monitored by ANVISA, which may request additional adjustments.
Embrapa is also making progress in CBD research.
This progress comes after the government allocated over 13 million Brazilian reais to Embrapa for studies on cannabidiol (CBD), through Finep (Financiadora de Estudos e Projectos), a public company that promotes science, technology and innovation in companies, universities, technological institutes and other public or private institutions in Brazil.
The second project on the list is Embrapa's CBD project. Only 8 projects out of a total of 59 submitted in the health category to Finep were approved.
The project, entitled “Developing technologies for the cannabidiol production chain in Brazil,” will be carried out by the Temperate Climate Agricultural Research Center, the unit where Beatriz Emygdio works (Embrapa has 43 units in total). The project will be coordinated by Beatriz and involves a team of more than 30 researchers from four units: Embrapa Temperate Climate (RS), Embrapa Cotton (Paraíba), Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry (Ceará), and Embrapa Cenargem (Federal District).
“This was a project submitted to Finep's call for proposals, in the health thematic area. It's a very competitive call for proposals. The funding provides for the purchase of cultivation structures (greenhouse and phytotron), a phenotyping platform and other equipment, as well as resources for scholarships in various categories,” he explained to CannaReporter®.
Read the full text of ANVISA's decision below:
SEI_3947419_Voto_200
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you do with €3 a month? Become one of our Patrons! If you believe that independent cannabis journalism is necessary, subscribe to one of the levels of our Patreon account and you will have access to unique gifts and exclusive content. If there are many of us, we can make a difference with little!
With a degree in Journalism from the University of Coimbra, Laura Ramos has a postgraduate degree in Photography and has been a Journalist since 1998. Winner of the Business of Cannabis Awards in the category "Journalist of the Year 2024", Laura was a correspondent for Jornal de Notícias in Rome, Italy, and Press Officer in the Office of the Minister of Education of the 21st Portuguese Government. She has an international certification in Permaculture (PDC) and created the street-art photography archive “Say What? Lisbon” @saywhatlisbon. Co-founder and Editor of CannaReporter® and coordinator of PTMC - Portugal Medical Cannabis, Laura directed the documentary “Pacientes” and was part of the steering group of the first Postgraduate Course in GxP's for Medicinal Cannabis in Portugal, in partnership with the Military Laboratory and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
Michael Sassano: "Approvals can be better streamlined and keep the same rigorous quality standards."
SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has obtained three Marketing Authorizations (MAs) from Infarmed and...
Spain: Supreme Court accepts pharmacists' appeal against the exclusion of community pharmacies from dispensing cannabis.
The Spanish Supreme Court has accepted the appeal filed by the Consejo General de Colegios de Farmacéuticos (CGCOF) last month...
Infarmed grants three ACMs to SOMAÍ's first medicinal cannabis products in Portugal
Infarmed has granted Marketing Authorizations (MA) to three cannabis-based preparations and substances for the purpose of...
France Extends Medical Cannabis Access Again as Full Access Bill Remains Stuck in Limbo
Thousands of French patients using medicinal cannabis will continue to receive their treatment for the foreseeable future, as...
Brazil: Anvisa bans CBD purchased from Paraguay by the São Paulo Public Administration; Public Prosecutor's Office investigates.
The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) seized a shipment of cannabidiol (CBD) products last November...
Spain includes medicinal cannabis magistral preparations in the National Formulary
The Spanish Ministry of Health has officially approved the inclusion of standardized compounded cannabis (THC and CBD) solutions...
Norway: AROD asks the International Criminal Court to consider drug prohibition a crime against humanity.
The Alliance for Rights-Oriented Drug Policies (AROD), a Norwegian organization advocating for the revision of drug laws, decided to send a...
Relm Insurance and Prohibition Partners release cannabis risk report for emerging and high-growth industries.
Hamilton, Bermuda — January 15, 2026: Relm Insurance (Relm), a leading insurer focused on emerging industries, today launched...
Spain: Study reveals promising effects of CBD (cannabidiol) in controlling alcoholism.
An investigation by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) demonstrates that cannabidiol (CBD) and other components of...
Joana de Almeida Teixeira succeeds João Goulão as president of ICAD.
The Institute for Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (ICAD) announced this week its new Board of Directors, which...
