Conad swears in new councilors for the 2025–2027 term with the inclusion of cannabis entities

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), through the National Secretariat for Drug Policies and Asset Management (Senad), formalized the new members of the National Council of Drug Policies (Conad). The inauguration took place on December 28, 2025, and defined the councilors for the 2025–2027 term.

The event was held at the Palace of Justice in Brasília and included the integration of important sector representatives. Among the new Conad members, the Association for Research and Development of Medicinal Cannabis in Brazil (Cannab) and the Federation of Therapeutic Cannabis Associations (FACT) stand out.

First Conad meeting and social participation

The ceremony marked the opening of the first ordinary meeting of the new Conad cycle. During the ceremony, the National Secretary for Drug Policies and Asset Management, Marta Machado, emphasized the importance of the recent electoral process.

According to the secretary, the new council composition consolidates a more democratic and participatory model. “The resumption of Conad deepens a new model of social participation. Since 2023, we have built a process in which civil society entities are chosen through a public call,” Machado stated in a Government note.

The secretary celebrated the moment of swearing in the new members. She highlighted that transparent and recognized elections are fundamental for the councilors who will serve in this new term.

Conad elections and democratic commitment

The councilors were chosen in a national process conducted in early October, during the National Meeting for the Election of the National Council of Drug Policies. The initiative reaffirms the Federal Government's commitment to participatory democracy within Conad.

Furthermore, the aim is to expand spaces for dialogue in the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of drug policies. Marta Machado emphasized that active and qualified participation is essential for the development of fairer and more effective public policies.

Out of 32 qualified organizations, ten were elected to join Conad. Check out the list of new members and their respective votes:

- Brazilian Association of Mental Health (Abrasme) – 19 votes;

- Cannab – Association for Research and Development of Medicinal Cannabis in Brazil – 19 votes;

- É de Lei Coexistence 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.