Cannabis import market grows 51% in two years in Brazil
Medical cannabis imports grow 27% in the first half of 2026. See the figures for RDC 660 and what will be discussed at Cannabis Connection.
The Brazilian medical cannabis market maintains a growth trajectory in the import of plant-based products. Data on import requests gathered in a survey based on information from the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) show that the volume recorded between January and June 2026 reached 114,708, a 27% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 90,314 records were tallied.
The comparison with 2024 reinforces the expansion of this access channel. In the first half of that year, 75,852 applications were registered, a volume 51.2% lower than that observed in the first six months of 2026.
The trend in numbers indicates that demand for importing medical cannabis products continues to rise in Brazil. This movement will be explored in depth at Cannabis Connection 2026, scheduled for November 5 in São Paulo, when Alan Paiotti will present data on the market related to RDC 660, which regulates the importation of these products by individuals for personal use.
The analysis of these indicators will contribute to understanding the scale of this market, the behavior of demand, and the opportunities and challenges involved in this access channel for medical cannabis.
Imports grow for the second consecutive year
The comparison of first halves shows a sequence of growth over the last three years. Between January and June 2024, 75,852 applications were registered. In the same period of 2025, the total rose to 90,314, an increase of 19.1%.
In 2026, the advance was even greater. The 114,708 records represent a 27% growth compared to the first half of the previous year and 51.2% compared to 2024.
| First half | Import records | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66,176 | — |
| 2024 | 75,852 | +14.6% |
| 2025 | 90,314 | +19.1% |
| 2026 | 114,708 | +27.0% |
Source: Anvisa import request data spreadsheet. Percentages were calculated based on records from January to June of each year.
The series shows not only continuous growth, but also an acceleration in the pace of expansion. The increase went from 14.6% between the first halves of 2023 and 2024 to 19.1% between 2024 and 2025, and 27% between 2025 and 2026.
The 2026 result represents the highest volume for the January-to-June period in the series presented. Comparing equivalent intervals avoids distortions resulting from using full years alongside partial periods.
March concentrates the highest number of records in 2026
The monthly distribution shows that growth was sustained throughout the entire first half of 2026. March showed the highest volume, with 21,391 records, followed by January, with 19,048, and February, with 19,028.
In April, 18,616 records were tallied. May totaled 18,339, while June closed the semester with 18,286.
Compared to the same months of 2025, every month showed growth. March had the highest proportional increase, at approximately 47.7%, followed by January, with 35.6%, and February, with 30.7%.
June recorded growth of 27.8%, while April advanced 18.0% and May, 6.9%.
The data indicates that the expansion was not restricted to a single month. Although March concentrated the highest volume and the highest proportional growth, the 2026 figures surpassed those of 2025 in every month of the half.
What the numbers indicate about the medical cannabis market
The progression of records helps gauge the relevance of imports in access to medical cannabis in Brazil. RDC 660/2022 establishes the criteria for the exceptional importation of plant-derived products by individuals, for personal use, upon prescription by a legally qualified professional and compliance with applicable sanitary requirements.
This channel must be distinguished from the market for cannabis products sold in Brazilian pharmacies, which follows a different regulatory framework.
The number of application records does not necessarily correspond to the quantity of products actually imported, the number of patients served, or the segment's revenue.
Cannabis Connection 2026 will delve into RDC 660 data
The evolution of imports will be on the agenda at Cannabis Connection 2026, an event scheduled for November 5 in São Paulo. Allan Paiotti, CEO of Cannect, will present data on the market related to RDC 660, broadening the discussion on the scale and behavior of this access channel for medical cannabis.
The survey of the first halves shows that registrations surged 51.2% between 2024 and 2026. The acceleration observed in the most recent period reinforces the importance of tracking indicators to understand changes in demand and the regulatory and commercial challenges facing the sector.
The presentation at the event will allow for a deeper reading of the data and a discussion of what the numbers reveal about the Brazilian medical cannabis import market.
Monitoring this progression is relevant for companies, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders operating in the sector, especially amidst regulatory changes and the expanding debate over access to plant-based products.
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