The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) positively signaled that it will meet the deadline established by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to deliver the regulation of cannabis cultivation for medicinal purposes in Brazil. The confirmation came after a meeting on Monday night (29), which was attended by Director-President Leandro Safatle and Director Thiago Campos.

Representatives of cannabis associations who participated in the online meeting stated that Anvisa will deliver the draft ordinance within the deadline, which ends today (30). However, the document will not yet include the associations.

A new milestone in dialogue

During the meeting, Anvisa directors discussed with association representatives about their future participation in this process. The meeting was mediated by lawyer Emílio Figueiredo.

"From now on, they have committed to listening to the population and the third sector. We will have a space for dialogue to bring our demands and to be heard," said Fernanda Peixoto, founder of the Maria Flor association.

Participants considered the meeting "positive" and a milestone for the future. "It was a completely different attitude from the last meetings Anvisa had with us," explained Pedro Sabaciauskis, founder of Santa Cannabis.

"They showed receptivity and empathy. They already started by apologizing for this regulation that is coming out 'in a rush' today," Sabaciauskis continued. Despite the initial exclusion, the positive sentiment prevailed among those present.

Task force and next steps

According to the representatives, a task force focused on associations will be set up, based on three pillars: science, collective construction, and transparency. "We will objectively address our demands to build together," explained Fernanda.

The associations present invited Anvisa to visit their headquarters so that the agency can get a close look at the cultivation and production processes of cannabis-based products.

The context of the decision

The regulation requirement was formalized by the STJ, which differentiated industrial hemp from other plant varieties, allowing its cultivation in national territory as it does not have psychoactive effects.

The Action Plan guiding this regulation of cannabis cultivation involves various Executive bodies, such as the Ministries of Health, Justice, and Agriculture, in addition to constant dialogue with experts and civil society.

The Sechat Portal contacted Anvisa to confirm the information regarding the publication of the Draft Ordinance. At the time of publication of this article, at 12 p.m., the agency stated that the demand was under verification.