Players in the pharmaceutical cannabis market in Brazil are eagerly awaiting the end of the RDC 327/2019 review. The expectation is that the change will boost a sector already in rapid expansion. During the 2025 Brazilian Medicinal Cannabis Congress, Filipe Campos, Market Insights Leader at Close-Up International, analyzed the scenario and retail growth.

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) concluded in July the Public Consultation No. 1,316/2025. The agency received 1,476 contributions on the standard regulating cannabis products for medicinal use.

The proposed changes, opinions, and suggestions will now be evaluated by the agency's technical teams. After the analysis, the final text will be submitted to the Collegiate Board of Directors (Dicol) of Anvisa. The draft of the new resolution suggests significant changes. The main topics include:

- Limitation of THC content;

- New criteria for importation;

- Updated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements;

- Rules for handling in pharmacies;

- Prescription guidelines and advertising standards.

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Market expansion potential for cannabis

According to Filipe Campos, this review is an important step to unlock the potential of the cannabis market. "The trend is that this will further increase demand," he states.

He points out that the current regulation restricts access. "But as we work on these other forms, we see that the market has the potential to expand even further."

Campos illustrates this potential with retail data. "The pharmaceutical market in Brazil has about 100,000 active pharmacies. The CBD molecule is present in less than 25,000."

The specialist's conclusion is clear: "So there really is still a very large space for expansion that can be fostered as we regulate this sector."

Felipe will be one of the speakers at the Cannabis Connection, the main meeting point for the medicinal and industrial cannabis industry in Latin America, held by Sechat on November 6.

With influential figures such as Beatriz Emygio, a researcher at Embrapa, and Ana Paula Porfírio, a representative of MAPA, the event was designed to stimulate relevant exchanges, strategic dialogues, and real connections among industry players.

Secure your spot here.

Performance of the cannabis market and medical adherence

In addition to future expectations, Campos highlights the current robust performance of the cannabis market in pharmacies. "It's a market that has been growing over 70% since it started," he points out.

The growth is even more significant in volume. "In units, it has more than doubled year after year. So it really is a very large market."

This growth is also driven by the increasing adherence of the medical community. "Today in Brazil, there are over 50,000 doctors already prescribing this molecule," reveals the specialist.

He emphasizes the entry of new professionals in the medicinal cannabis sector. "And of these [50,000], over 30,000 are new doctors."

Faced with this scenario, Campos is optimistic. "So we really see that treatment adherence is growing, the cannabis market is expanding, and there are indeed plenty of opportunities for everyone."

Follow the interview with  Filipe Campos, Market Insights Leader at Close-Up International