The Paraíba Association is the first in Brazil to obtain a cannabinoid analyzer

The Brazilian Association for Cannabis Hope (Abrace), from Paraíba, received one of the largest investments in its five-year existence on Tuesday (25): a cannabinoid analyzer. With this, it becomes the first entity in Brazil to have this type of equipment, which accurately analyzes the concentrations of THC, CBD, and other components present in its liquid medications.

The device is called "high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)" and costs around R$ 300,000. Despite the high cost, the entity needed it and launched a crowdfunding campaign online. For two years, Abrace has been the only one authorized by the Federal Court to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes for hundreds of patients. It produces oils, sprays, and suppositories in João Pessoa. Therefore, it was under strong pressure to present results consistent with what is described on the medicine labels. 

"Now the patient will be able to know what they are really taking. If the pathology they have responds better to THC, they will be sure that the medication they are taking is rich in THC. The same goes for CBD and balanced oil," explains Endy Lacet, founder and spokesperson for the association.

Until acquiring the analyzer, Abrace only had the mass spectrometer (solids) chromatograph. It is a device that only analyzes the cannabinoids from the cannabis flowers at the time of harvest. However, the plant still undergoes a whole processing until the final product.

"Before, we had no way to perform the final analysis of the extract. We had a reference because of the mass chromatograph. Now everything has changed. It's a new era; we have always been heavily criticized for not having this reliable analysis," celebrates Endy.

Currently, Abrace serves approximately 1,100 families from all over the country with oils and ointments. An average of 50 oils are produced daily. The entity projects an increase in this production with cultivation in Campina Grande, which should yield products for more than ten thousand patients.