The recent change in US legislation regarding total THC limits in hemp products has reignited the debate about the Brazilian regulatory framework. On the Sechat News program, Corina Silva, CEO of USA Hemp Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Wilson Lessa, psychiatrist and vice president of AMBICANN, and Luna Vargas, anthropologist and educator, analyzed the possible consequences for Brazil.

Industry will have to adapt and raise quality standards

Corina Silva evaluated that the change in US law was already expected and states that the new scenario will force companies to raise their operating standards.

"The change in US law was expected and will force the industry to adapt, raising quality standards. This is positive because only serious players, who already work rigorously, will be able to survive in this new market."
 

According to her, the movement also reflects market disputes involving large economic groups.

"The stricter regulation is a move by the pharmaceutical industry to gain control and create patents. But money drives the market, and US states will not accept very restrictive laws because the cannabis sector is a major source of tax revenue."
 

Phytocomplex and scientific reduction are points of attention

Psychiatrist Dr. Wilson Lessa warned of the risk of Brazil adopting a restrictive view of the plant, limiting itself to isolated molecules like CBD and THC.

"This plant is a pharmacological treasure trove. If we keep focusing only on CBD and THC, we will miss the other 150 cannabinoids."

He also criticized the reductionist approach in public and regulatory debates.

"I see an intellectual dishonesty in not giving the plant its due value. We cannot be hostages to a simplistic view."

Lessa also highlighted two immediate positive effects of the US change for the Brazilian context, emphasizing patient safety and the movement of the national sector.

"In the end, what happened a few weeks ago in the United States, which was expected, but we didn't know when it would happen, for Brazil, for the Brazilian public, it has two positive aspects a priori, which is that this raised bar will make it easier for us to have higher quality products entering here (in Brazil). Because, as Luna mentioned and as Corina knows, unfortunately, it will depend on the regulations of the states and when they enter here, Anvisa, due to the characteristics of RDC 660, does not analyze any of these oils and it is not meant to do so, that's how the 660 pact was. But improving the bar in the United States already facilitates because it improves patient safety here in Brazil. It is certainly a first thing and the second thing that we also seem to agree on is that this is stirring up the Brazilian market to talk... I think these are positive points that are shaking things up."

Brazil may repeat mistakes of the US and Europe, says anthropologist

Anthropologist Luna Vargas stated that the country runs the risk of replicating mistakes made by older markets by not properly distinguishing industrial hemp from medical cannabis.

"We are going to make the same mistake that the United States made, that Europe made 10 years ago, which is to set a limit of 0.3 [of THC] in hemp. It's unfeasible."

Luna emphasized that Brazil loses competitiveness by failing to regulate hemp with an agricultural focus, while other countries maintain structured productions for decades.

"Brazil is missing a historic opportunity to generate income, employment, restore soil. The Ministry of Agriculture should regulate hemp production and forget the secondary component for a moment."

Watch the full debate:
How the New US Law Can Redefine the Global Cannabis Market
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