Cannabis in Nature in Brazil: the dilemma between prohibition and freedom of access

By João Negromonte

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) announced on Wednesday (19), through a technical note, a decision that prohibits the importation of cannabis flowers in nature to Brazil. According to the health agency, the objective is to regulate the use of the plant and its derivatives safely and responsibly.

The measure sparked debates and discussions

Market players like Rodolfo Rosato, founder of TerraCannabis, a platform that provides facilitation services for access to cannabis-based products for pre-authorized individuals, disagree with Anvisa's decision.

The businessman questions the importance of freedom of choice between doctor and patient regarding health treatment. He argues that the effectiveness and safety of cannabis are proven in various treatments, regardless of its form (oil, capsules, cream, or in nature). For example, he mentions the case of a Parkinson's patient who uses inhaled plant to control the disease's tremors, emphasizing that the action is quick and effective. He also highlights the situation of oncology patients who use cannabis in nature to reduce pain and nausea from chemotherapy and defends people's right to access treatment without bureaucratic interruptions.

“This attempt to block the plant in nature is immensely cruel. Once again, they are only thinking about the economic interests of certain groups, not caring about people's pain. It was like this at the beginning of oil imports and will be now with flowers. If they prevent patients from accessing appropriate treatments, there will be thousands of lawsuits from patients whose lives will be harmed by interests unrelated to health,” Rosato emphasized.

Dr. Wilson Lessa, a psychiatrist with extensive knowledge of cannabis, also expressed his opinion. The healthcare professional explains that the eventual recreational use of Ritalin (methylphenidate), for example, is a deviation from medical use. However, this deviation does not justify the prohibition of the product's prescription and commercialization, an essential tool in treating patients with ADHD. But, it is a sign that this can happen and that measures such as prescription control and psychoeducation can reduce this practice.

“The vaporized form for therapeutic use has advantages in some situations, such as rapid onset of action and avoiding first-pass effect in the liver, where many compounds are metabolized,” explains the doctor, stating that the administration route is already used in Israel, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the USA, in patients with oncological pain, migraines, Parkinson's, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), among other morbid conditions.

Advancing the Debate is Necessary

Alexandre Biasi, CEO of Medical Hemp Brasil, a company specialized in assisting patients using cannabinoid therapy, says that Anvisa has a prepared and rigorous team that studied regulations worldwide, ensuring technical analysis and product origin before approving them for legal importation.

“There is a very difficult parallel to explain because according to RDC/327, the importation of cannabis flowers in nature was not possible. However, with the introduction of RDC/660, a door was opened for this presentation of the product in nature, which is again prohibited by the technical note issued by the agency,” Biasi said, emphasizing: “I have followed the regulations since their inception and have followed the work that Anvisa does. Thus, I understand that they know what they are doing.”

Regarding the justification that many people would be using the excuse of medicinal use to acquire flowers for adult use, the businessman states that the attempt to guide patients on access is daily, but it is not possible to control the practice of false testimony.

“We cannot filter this. It is a very complicated issue because in medicine there is also harm reduction, where the individual will not stop consuming and often does not even know where the product came from. Anyway, it is a range of discussions to be outlined yet. But there are rules, and we have to do the right thing; we have the chance to write history, so we have to apply the standards, without forgetting that the discussion exists for us to evolve,” he concluded

What Anvisa Says

In a statement to the Sechat portal, the agency informed that the decision took into account various aspects, including the potential medicinal use of cannabis, patient safety, and the need to control illegal trafficking of the substance.

“With this prohibition, the aim is to avoid risks to public health and ensure that cannabis-derived products are subjected to rigorous quality standards,” the note states.

Anvisa also reinforced that after 60 days, no more requests for the importation of cannabis flowers in nature will be accepted, and if new requests are submitted, they will be denied.

The debate on the legalization of cannabis is still a topic of discussion, with divergent opinions among experts and society in general. While some advocate for the full release of the plant for medicinal and adult use, others argue that it is necessary to proceed with caution and base decisions on solid scientific evidence.

In this scenario, Anvisa emphasizes that it will continue to closely monitor scientific advances and international policies related to cannabis, aiming to find solutions that meet the needs of the Brazilian population.

Meanwhile, it is important for all involved parties to stay informed and open to dialogue so that responsible and well-founded decisions can be made in the future.