Cannabis Associations to Have a Seat on the National Drug Policy Council (Conad)

The National Drug Policy Council (Conad) confirmed, on Thursday (23), the results of the election for its new civil society organizations. The publication in the Official Gazette of the Union confirmed the election of two entities linked to medicinal cannabis: CANNAB and FACT. The organizations will have a seat on the council during the 2025-2027 term.

The election, held on October 1st, ranked CANNAB (Association for Research and Development of Medicinal Cannabis in Brazil) in second place, with 19 votes. FACT (Federation of Therapeutic Cannabis Associations) secured the ninth spot, with 18 votes. 

In a statement sent to Portal Sechat, CANNAB expressed that it is "an honor" to be among the elected, highlighting that the election "reinforces the importance of civil society participation in the formulation of public drug policies in Brazil and recognizes the serious and collective work of CANNAB in defense of a policy based on science, equity, and harm reduction."

The association concluded that it will continue "contributing with responsibility, information, and commitment to a care policy that promotes social justice."

FACT, in turn, emphasized the significance of the moment. The federation stated that this is "another opportunity, after the emptying of councils in the previous government, to bring the debate on the need for specific regulation not only for cannabis associativism but also to help promote the discussion on the modernization and reformulation of the Drug Law, Harm Reduction, and Historical Reparation."

The federation celebrated what it considers a historic milestone: "For the first time in CONAD's history, the movement for democratizing access to cannabis is present through the Federation and the cannabis association from Bahia, Cannab, which will be able to participate in debates and bring their demands."

FACT also pointed out current challenges, mentioning that, "despite the advances," the sector still suffers from "search and seizure warrants in associations," "arrest of associativist leaders," and other "common repression violence." However, the organization sees the seat on Conad as "an excellent opportunity for construction for the entire movement."

Advancement of Medicinal Cannabis in the Conad Debate

The election defines the representation of civil society at a relevant time for the debate on medicinal cannabis in the country. In December 2024, Conad itself approved a report from a Working Group (GT). The document addressed the regulation of the cultivation of the plant for medicinal, scientific, and industrial purposes.

The 2025 election saw broad participation from organizations in the sector. The preliminary list of qualified candidates included other associations, such as ACCURA, SouCannabis, and Flor da Vida, which did not make it among the ten elected.

New Councilors and Inauguration Date

In addition to the two associations focused on medicinal cannabis, organizations focused on mental health (ABRASME) and harm reduction (É de Lei and Rede Brasileira de Redução de Danos) were elected. The list also includes entities focused on drug policy (Iniciativa Negra, Rede Jurídica, Plataforma Brasileira, and RENFA) and toxicology (SBTOX).

The publication also amended the schedule of the announcement. The inauguration of the new councilors, previously scheduled for November 18, will now take place on November 28, 2025, during the ordinary meeting of Conad.

The National Secretariat for Drug Policy and Asset Management released the final classification and the number of votes received by each entity:

- BRAZILIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION - ABRASME (19 votes);

- CANNAB ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL CANNABIS IN BRAZIL (19 votes);

- É DE LEI LIVING CENTER (19 votes);

- BLACK INITIATIVE FOR A NEW DRUG POLICY (19 votes);

- BRAZILIAN NETWORK FOR HARM REDUCTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (19 votes);

- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGY (SBTOX) (19 votes);

- LEGAL NETWORK FOR DRUG POLICY REFORM (19 votes);

- BRAZILIAN DRUG POLICY PLATFORM (19 votes);

- FEDERATION OF THERAPEUTIC CANNABIS ASSOCIATIONS - FACT (18 votes);

- NATIONAL NETWORK OF ANTI-PROHIBITIONIST FEMINISTS - RENFA (18 votes).