Long before being the subject of contemporary debates on health and economy, cannabis was already part of human life for millennia. Its fibers, seeds, and medicinal properties crossed empires, navigations, and industrial revolutions. In the 21st century, Brazil revisits this trajectory, discussing cultivation possibilities and exploring the agricultural and economic potential of the plant.

From tradition to navigations

According to the Sechat 2024 Ebook, which gathers historical and scientific research on the plant, the first records of cannabis use date back more than 10,000 years, when Asian civilizations were already using its fibers for clothing and ropes. In Ancient Egypt, it appeared in religious rituals and medicinal formulas.

In Brazil, its arrival is linked to colonization: the ropes of the Portuguese caravels that landed in 1500 were made of hemp, a type of cannabis with low THC content.

A few decades later, seeds brought by enslaved individuals from Africa were cultivated in national soil, inaugurating its local history. In 1656, King D. João V even officially encouraged production, recognizing its industrial value.

From glory to stigma

The Sechat Guide also recalls that in the 19th century, Brazilian doctors prescribed cannabis extracts to treat bronchitis, asthma, and insomnia. However, from the 1930s, under strong influence of the prohibitionist policy of the United States, led by Harry Anslinger, the plant became criminalized. This stigma crossed borders and directly impacted Brazilian legislation and that of other Latin American countries.

Brazilian agriculture and new horizons

According to the Ebook, hemp can be used in over 25,000 industrial applications, from papers and textiles to biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and food. Market studies, such as those from Kaya Mind and New Frontier Data, indicate that, in the first year of regulation alone, the sector could generate up to R$ 4.9 billion in Brazil.

In addition to the economic impact, the plant's versatility aligns with environmental urgencies: it requires less water than cotton, contributes to the recovery of degraded soils, and captures more CO₂ per hectare than many agricultural crops.

Between past and future

From Ancient Egypt to the plantations of the future, cannabis has always been present in human history. Now, beyond medicine and cultural symbol, it emerges as a strategic opportunity for agribusiness and for sustainable innovation in Brazil.
 

To delve into the complete timeline of the plant and understand its economic and social potential, check out the full Sechat Cannabis Guide.