The Plant: Beto Brant's new film about cannabis premieres in Brazilian cinemas
Documentary premieres in October and reveals stories of overcoming, scientific advances, and the fight for access to treatment
Published on 09/27/2025
Claudia Marin Castelazi and Mateus Castelazi (cannabis patient), interviewees of the documentary "The Plant". Image: Press Release Archive
At 14, Benício Ramires had already faced 14 hospitalizations and two cardiac arrests due to Dravet Syndrome. With a routine of 25 pills a day, he "had no time to be happy," according to his brother, Diego Ramires. The turning point came when the family found cannabis oil.
as an alternative to suffering. Today, Benício no longer uses allopathic medications and has reduced the 30 daily seizures to just one per month.
This is one of the stories portrayed in Beto Brant's new film, "The Plant," which premieres in cinemas on October 2 in cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, João Pessoa, and Belo Horizonte. The work will also be exclusively released on the Aquarius platform on the 24th of the same month.
A window into the reality of cannabis
Produced by Drama Filmes, the 80-minute documentary presents emotional accounts of people who have changed their lives with the use of medicinal cannabis. The film also exposes results of studies and scientific evidence through interviews with experts. "I say it is a scientific documentary with emotional impact due to the caregivers' and patients' stories," explains Brant.
Furthermore, the work reveals the Brazilian reality regarding the production and importation of oil, seeking to broaden the debate on the subject with an empathetic and educational narrative. "We aim, with the film, to communicate the benefits of endocannabinoid medicine. Report on the status of research, medical care, and access to medication through cannabis associations," he states.
Access to medicinal cannabis
Among the interviewees are eleven specialists, with names like Dr. Leandro Ramires, Dr. Eduardo Faveret, Dr. Carolina Nocetti, and Prof. Dra. Eliana Rodrigues. According to Brant, the documentary shows how the construction of a medicinal cannabis use policy can be successful by considering health, science, culture, and industry.
"Our intention is to participate in the rediscovery movement of cannabis and bring to the public the current status of treatment, research, and clinical evidence," Brant concludes.
