Embrapa researcher presents proposal for cannabis products from the management of 'social bees' at COP 30

Updated December 30

Until November 21, Belém do Pará was the center of global attention. As the headquarters of COP 30, the city became a territory of dialogues about the Earth's climatic future and, among the many agendas that flourished, one stood out for its audacity and purpose: the union between industrial cannabis and the relationship with 'social bees' as a symbol of innovation and sustainability, since bees are silent guardians of life and ecosystem health.

Cannabis and bees: when care blossoms in new forms

More than an unusual combination, the proposal represents a new frontier for regenerative agriculture. Hemp, cultivated with low water consumption and almost no pesticides, is recognized for its ability to sequester carbon and restore the soil. Bees collect pollen from the plant, and considering the resins that the plant produces, it is possible that in the future a propolis with some proportion of its medicinal properties could be obtained; as for honey production, research indicates that cannabis flowers do not produce nectar, which would make a floral product unfeasible, however, a composite product is possible - bee honey added with CBD, following the example of other composite honey-based products already on the market.

The proposal, which originated in the AgriZone space dedicated to sustainable agribusiness solutions within COP 30, transcends the idea of two united products. It symbolizes a production model that celebrates biodiversity, strengthens local communities, and drives the Amazonian bioeconomy.

It was during a live broadcast by Portal Sechat with Thiago Zilio, founder and vice president of the Cannabis Science and Technology Institute Brazil (ICTC Brazil), and Daniel Santiago Pereira, agronomist and researcher in Apiculture at Embrapa, that this initiative gained voice and meaning.

Zilio highlighted the potential of hemp as a versatile and sustainable raw material - a green seed for a future in which development walks hand in hand with respect for the land:

'Hemp can enhance the green economy. It's not just about the plant, but how it fits into a production cycle that utilizes everything, from the stem to the flowers, and is less aggressive to the planet. It is another alternative to strengthen our economy sustainably,' Thiago pointed out.

In the same conversation, Daniel emphasized how this idea also paves the way to integrate production and preservation, highlighting the role of bees in ecosystem regeneration: 'every time the relationship of bees with a crop is identified, it is important to verify the benefits. In the case of hemp, we already know that bees collect pollen - what is in this pollen? We also know that the plant is a good resin producer, so why not imagine a propolis with the properties of the plant already sought in the market? Although there is no scientific evidence of nectar production in the flowers, it is still possible to infer an artificially composed product of honey and cannabinoid substances. In addition, studies on obtaining the products can help validate - or not - the relationship of bees in the pollination of the plant. It is important to highlight that bees respond to healthy environments and, when we take care of them, we are also taking care of the planet's balance.'