The Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), stated on Thursday (30) that the state will produce medicinal cannabis. The announcement took place during a meeting at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes with mayors and health secretaries.

On the occasion, Tarcísio also confirmed the transfer of an extra R$ 379.2 million in resources for the health of the 645 municipalities. The resources will be allocated to the Municipal Health Funds for costs and investments, aiming to expand healthcare. The funding originates from transfers by parliamentarians and government allocations. Symbolically, Mayor Meiri Catelani, from Bady Bassitt, received the "check" for the investment.

The Role of Furp in Cannabis Production

One of the highlights of the speech was the projection for the Popular Remedy Foundation (Furp) to produce high-cost medications in the state, including those derived from medicinal cannabis.

“We are going to produce high-cost medications here in the state of São Paulo. We are going to produce cannabis here in the state of São Paulo. Using what we already have,” stated the governor.

Tarcísio mentioned the manufacturing plants in Guarulhos and Américo Brasiliense, with plans for full operation in both. The government intends to incorporate Furp into the Butantã hub. According to him, this could increase production from 400,000 medications/year to 3 billion, saving R$ 270 million annually.

A New Positioning after Veto

The statement comes 10 months after the Government vetoed bill 954/2023. The bill created a program for the production and distribution of cannabis-based medications in the state, to be led by Furp.

The decision was signed by the acting vice-governor, Felício Ramuth (PSD), while Governor Tarcísio de Freitas was on a trip to the United States. In his justification, Ramuth stated that the veto occurred because the creation and structuring of public administration bodies are the exclusive competence of the head of the Executive branch.

At the time of the veto, State Deputy and author of the bill, Caio França (PSB), criticized the Government's decision. In a post on the Sechat Portal, on Tuesday morning (04), the deputy celebrated the "recognition of the mistake" by the Governor. "I will be attentive to ensure that this production meets the pathologies that are not yet covered by the São Paulo SUS," said França.

Access to Medicinal Cannabis in São Paulo

At the state level, the SUS already distributes products derived from the plant, in accordance with State Law No. 17,618/23. The process requires a prescription, evaluation by the Health Department, and signing of a responsibility term, with supply limited to six months.

At the municipal level, the city of São Paulo is in its final phase to expand the prescription of cannabidiol in the public network. According to the Municipal Health Department (SMS), this first phase includes over 30 pathologies, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Multiple Sclerosis. The Technical Note SMS/SEABEVS No. 01/2025, which guides the work, is in the final stages of publication.

Municipalities like Ribeirão Pires are already progressing on the issue. Six months after its inauguration, the first public medicinal cannabis clinic in Brazil, located in the city, has shown a positive balance. The unit has already conducted 499 appointments, registered 156 patients, and distributed 368 bottles of cannabis-based oil free of charge.