The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) received the board of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) on Thursday (25). The meeting's agenda included the Agency's authorization for research on Cannabis sativa. 

Researcher Beatriz Marty Emygdio, from Embrapa, who participated in the meeting, described the meeting as very productive and detailed the urgency of the topic for national development.

"We discussed the importance of Brazil consolidating its scientific and technological bases to support national productive chains," she said. "The country already has a strong and expanding consumer market and will start production, but it also needs to advance in scientific and technological development".

She also highlighted the international scenario and the risk of Brazil falling behind in the race for innovation. "We presented a global overview that highlights the significant progress of other countries, such as the United States, China, and Canada, which currently hold the majority of patents. Brazil needs to decide whether it will continue as an importer or seek to become an exporter of technologies," concluded the researcher, reinforcing Embrapa's strategic role in this process.

Embrapa's director, Clênio Pillon, emphasized the potential of Cannabis sp. for Brazilian agriculture. He mentioned applications ranging from medicinal use to the production of industrial fibers through hemp.

Pillon reiterated that Embrapa's mission is to develop technological solutions to drive the field. According to him, research on Cannabis and its agronomic cultivation is aligned with this purpose of social, economic, and environmental development.

Thiago Campos, director of Anvisa, recognized the importance and complexity of the topic. He recalled that a court decision already determines Anvisa's role in the field of medicinal use of Cannabis sp..

Campos emphasized the need for Brazilian public institutions to advance in the production of technical and scientific knowledge. According to him, collaboration between the agencies is essential for the progress of research on Cannabis in a safe and regulated manner.

Unlocking cannabis research

In early September 2025, Embrapa and the Ficus Institute held the seminar "Regulatory Pathways for Hemp in Brazil." At the event, the Report of the Hemp Development Promotion Working Group was presented, proposing regulatory measures for the country.

Approximately two months earlier, the Corporation, together with the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) and 29 other universities, sent a Technical Note to Anvisa and the Ministry of Health. The document identified 481 problems and obstacles hindering scientific research development with the plant in Brazil.

Technical team participates in the discussion

In addition to the directors, the meeting was attended by Embrapa's advisor, Fernando Amaral; the deputy manager of Research, Development, and Innovation, Marcelo Bonnet Alvarenga; and researchers Beatriz Marty Emygdio, Daniela Matias de Carvalho Bittencourt, and Fábio Silva Macedo.

From Anvisa, the deputy director, Roberta Meneses; advisors Adriana Margutti and Thays Rocha de Carvalho; and the Controlled Products Management (GPCON) advisor, Thiago Brasil, were present.