Medical cannabis: Embrapa warns of competitiveness challenges
Beatriz Emygdio questions whether cultivation rules will allow for competitive domestic medical cannabis production. See the debate that took place at the 81st Soea.
It is not enough to regulate cultivation; we must regulate to compete.
The regulation of medical cannabis in Brazil must consider not only the conditions for cultivation, but also the competitiveness of domestic production. The warning was issued by researcher Beatriz Marti Emygdio, president of the Strategic Advisory Committee on Cannabis at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), during the 81st Official Engineering and Agronomy Week (Soea), held in Aracaju (SE).
Concluding her presentation on October 14, 2026, Beatriz drew attention to the risk that regulatory requirements and rule complexity could hinder the establishment of a productive chain capable of competing with international suppliers. For the researcher, the goal of expanding patient access and reducing medication costs may not be achieved if regulation fails to consider the economic conditions necessary for Brazilian production.
“It is not enough to regulate cultivation; we must regulate to compete,” Beatriz stated, summarizing the reflection presented at the event.
The researcher argued that Brazilian regulation is reactive in nature because, according to her analysis, the process stems from a court decision rather than a strategy originally conceived to develop the sector. In her assessment, this context may contribute to competitiveness aspects receiving less attention when drafting the rules.
Beatriz also questioned whether the degree of complexity of the requirements will allow achieving, in the short and medium term, the goals of facilitating patient access and reducing medication costs.
Competitiveness and domestic production costs
During her presentation, Beatriz emphasized that cannabidiol (CBD) is already traded at very low costs on the international market. In this scenario, rules that increase the complexity and costs of domestic production may reduce the economic feasibility of manufacturing these products in Brazil.
“If we do not structure this regulation so that it allows the sector to be competitive, with production costs that can yield competitive products, we will certainly end up importing material, which will be more viable than producing here in Brazil,” the researcher stated.
The statement places competitiveness as a central issue for the development of the domestic supply chain. In addition to defining who can cultivate and under what conditions, the regulatory model influences the cost structure, necessary investments, and the possibility of establishing economically viable local production.
The assessment presented by Beatriz represents an analysis of the possible effects of the regulations on the sector. The actual impact on production costs and the market share of domestic versus imported products will depend on the implementation of the regulations and market conditions.
Beatriz Marti Emygdio and Bruno Agnello Pegoraro are confirmed for Cannabis Connection 2026. The event will bring together experts and industry representatives to discuss regulatory challenges, market opportunities, and the development of the cannabis supply chain in Brazil.
Follow the discussions and take part in this industry gathering. Visit www.cannabisconnection.com.br to learn more.
Anvisa presents rules for cultivation and research
The topic was discussed in the panel “Medical Cannabis: from Genetics to Medicine – building a new supply chain in Brazil,” which brought together representatives from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), Embrapa, and specialists to discuss the sector's scientific, regulatory, and productive challenges.
The manager of Anvisa's Controlled Products area, pharmacist Renata de Morais Souza, presented the differences between Collegiate Board Resolutions (RDCs) No. 1,012/2026 and No. 1,013/2026.
According to the publication by the Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea), RDC No. 1,012/2026 regulates cultivation intended exclusively for scientific research. Meanwhile, RDC No. 1,013/2026 establishes conditions for the cultivation of varieties with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content equal to or lower than 0.3%, for medicinal, pharmaceutical, or research purposes.
The standards establish requirements for activity authorization, sanitary control, and production traceability.
Renata also clarified that the authorization for cultivation intended for research does not automatically cover all processing and manufacturing stages. The preparation of finished products, such as oils, extracts, capsules, and oral solutions, requires authorization compatible with the activity carried out. The same principle applies to extraction and processing operations to obtain active pharmaceutical ingredients or medications.
The regulatory requirements were discussed in the context of building a supply chain connecting research, cultivation, processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Domestic production faces scientific and agricultural challenges
In addition to economic competitiveness, Beatriz Emygdio presented technical obstacles to the development of Brazilian production. Among them are dependence on imported genetics, the lack of cultivars adapted to domestic conditions, phytosanitary challenges, raw material variability, and the limited supply of certified seeds and seedlings.
The researcher also warned of the risks of introducing genetic material without proper characterization and quarantine procedures, which could foster the spread of viruses.
Another challenge is the variation in the plant's chemical composition. Genetic and environmental factors, nutrition, management, and post-harvest procedures can influence biomass production and cannabinoid concentrations.
This variability hinders the standardization of compounds and the achievement of reproducible clinical outcomes—aspects crucial for developing medicinal products with controlled quality.
Consolidating the domestic chain depends on the integration of scientific research, agricultural production, cultivar registration, quality control, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Industrial processing and agricultural potential
Anvisa consultant and agronomist Sérgio Barbosa Ferreira Rocha addressed industrial processing and quality requirements in the cannabis agro-industrial chain.
According to Confea's publication, the presentation highlighted opportunities for utilizing the plant across different segments, including food, healthcare, civil construction, and the textile industry.
Sérgio also discussed the cultivation potential in different Brazilian regions, considering agroclimatic conditions. Zoning can help identify areas with productive potential in the Northeast and Center-South, taking into account environmental differences and their effects on plant development and raw material characteristics.
Agricultural planning is one of the necessary stages to evaluate variety adaptation, yield, and consistency of the raw material destined for processing.
Hemp broadens debate on industrial uses
The program also included a presentation on industrial hemp, led by environmental manager and political scientist Bruno Agnello Pegoraro.
Under the theme “Hemp in Brazil: panorama and opportunities for engineering and agronomy,” the presentation covered the international landscape, highlighting China, France, and the United States, as well as the possibilities for industrial applications of the plant.
Among the mentioned segments are the textile industry and other sectors utilizing plant fibers. The development of these applications may open opportunities for research into cultivation techniques, processing, and raw material transformation.
The panel was moderated by agronomist Almir Antonio Gnoatto, Superintendent of Agriculture and Livestock in Paraná for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa).
Medical cannabis gains ground at national event
The discussion held at the 81st Soea demonstrates how medical cannabis has been gaining ground within institutional environments linked to science, engineering, agronomy, and industrial development.
The participation of representatives from Anvisa and Embrapa broadened the debate beyond therapeutic and health issues, bringing to the forefront the infrastructure required to build a domestic supply chain.
Beatriz Emygdio's reflection adds an economic dimension to the discussion: regulation must establish conditions for cultivation and processing, but also consider whether Brazilian production will be able to compete with products available on the international market.
The challenge involves balancing sanitary requirements, raw material quality, product safety, and economic feasibility. For the researcher, ignoring competitiveness could compromise domestic production capacity and cause imports to remain a more viable alternative.
The panel held in Aracaju brought these issues together in a single forum, highlighting the connection between regulation, research, agriculture, and industry in the development of the Brazilian medical cannabis market.
Reference source: Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea), report “Especialistas debatem desafios da cadeia produtiva da cannabis medicinal,” published on October 14, 2026.
Original source: https://www.confea.org.br/especialistas-debatem-desafios-da-cadeia-produtiva-da-cannabis-medicinal