Cannabis Congress Kicks Off with a Bang: Market, Animal Health, and the Future of the Plant in Focus

This Thursday morning (22) has already shown what the 4th edition of the Brazilian Medical Cannabis Congress and the 4th Medical Cannabis Fair are all about, running until Saturday (24) at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo. And if the start of the event was intense, the afternoon promises even more!

Early on, two significant modules took center stage: Business Cannabis, aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to understand or delve deeper into the cannabis universe as a new economy, and VetCannabis, which addresses the therapeutic use of the plant in veterinary medicine, a field in full expansion.

Morning of Insights and Connections

In the Business Cannabis module, the audience received a true lesson on the behind-the-scenes and future of this ever-growing market. The opening panel, “Opportunities and Challenges of the Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Market,” brought together names like Maria Eugênia, Juliana Tranjan, Filipe Campos, and Erik Torquato, moderated by Bruno Pegoraro. 

The speakers provided complementary and provocative perspectives on the Brazilian scenario. Lawyer Erik Torquato highlighted how the judicialization of home cannabis cultivation reveals the scientific and regulatory lag of the country, praising the efforts of families, doctors, and lawyers who, through preventive habeas corpus, ensure the right to treatment even in opposition to CFM and Anvisa regulations. 

For him, cultivation is an ancestral right and a legitimate response to the legal hypocrisy that denies health alternatives to patients. Juliana Tranjan pointed out the immense potential of industrial hemp in Brazil, reinforcing the country's capacity to lead the sector through science, innovation, and sustainable agricultural policy.

Maria Eugênia from KayaMind brought important data: in 2024, the medical cannabis market generated R$ 850 million in Brazil, serving around 672,000 patients – clear evidence that the sector is not only growing but is already a concrete economic and social reality.

Next, inspiring case studies took the stage with the talk “New Cannabis Businesses: Success Stories,” moderated by Valéria França, featuring Marcelo Fernandes, Cassiano Gomes, and Fernanda Simon. A feast for those looking to understand how to innovate with purpose.

Still in the morning, the focus was on compliance, governance, and reputation, with Dalton Kawasaki, Larissa Meneghel, and Laerte Dall’Agnol, in addition to an important discussion on the inclusion of cannabis in clinics and hospitals, led by Canadian Danial Schecter. The conversation concluded with a hot topic: the growth of grow shops, with Danilo Coelho Lima and Luiz Borsato, moderated by Anita Krepp.

Meanwhile, in the VetCannabis auditorium, the atmosphere was one of excitement and discovery. The morning featured presentations that reinforced the therapeutic potential of cannabis in animal health. Highlighting the opening panel with Rodrigo Montezuma, Daniela Bittencourt, and Caroline Campagnone, along with remarks from Marcelo Demp, representative of the Paraguayan Industrial Hemp Chamber (CCIP), who pointed out the neighboring country as a strategic supplier for Brazil.

In this panel, Montezuma emphasized the need to create regulatory channels of their own – similar to Anvisa's RDCs 327 and 660, but focused on the veterinary sector and under the responsibility of MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply) – especially to cover both individual treatments and in herds. 

Daniela celebrated the fact that MAPA is finally integrating the debate, previously restricted to Anvisa and Umisan, and argued that the advancement of regulation must be based on science. She emphasized that public policy formulation should rely on technical data and serious research, free from ideologies, to ensure safety, efficacy, and a positive impact on animal health and, consequently, on society as a whole.

Following that, topics ranged from pain relief in dogs with osteoarthritis (with veterinarian Neide Maria Griebeler) to the use of cannabis in neurological patients and athletic animals, with talks from Joshua Polanco and Rodrigo Zamith. A true technical, ethical, and clinical overview for those looking to operate safely in this new territory of veterinary medicine.

And the afternoon?

The program continues until 8 PM with more unmissable talks in both modules. Those who pass through Expo Center Norte will have the chance to follow discussions on market trends, international regulatory models, startup financing, as well as clinical reports with pets and practical guidance for veterinary prescriptions.

And there's much more coming in the next few days: over 100 speakers, dozens of exhibitors, startups, and sector innovations. If you are seeking knowledge, networking, or real business opportunities, the Congress is the right place to be!

Service:

Location: Expo Center Norte, São Paulo – SP
Date: February 22 to 24
Time: From 9 AM to 8 PM
Tickets: available for in-person and online formats
More information:
www.medicalcannabisfair.com.br
www.congressocannabis.com.br