The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has confirmed a meeting of its collegiate board of directors for next Wednesday (10/08), at 9:30 am. Among the items listed on the official agenda is the discussion on the regulation of medical cannabis in the country, a topic awaiting definition after the Federal Government requested more time from the Superior Court of Justice (STJ).

The meeting of the Collegiate Board of Directors (Dicol) will take place starting at 9:30 am, with live streaming on Anvisa's YouTube channel. Among the agenda items is also a call for up to five innovative projects to participate in the Pilot Project of the Experimental Regulatory Environment (Regulatory Sandbox) for personalized cosmetics.

After request for new deadline

The topic comes up for discussion amidst the Federal Government's request for a 180-day extension to publish the rules for national cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The request was sent to Minister Regina Helena Costa, the case's rapporteur, on September 20.  

The Ministry of Health and Anvisa argue that the extension is necessary due to the high technical complexity of the subject. According to the agencies, the process requires an internal restructuring at the agency and an in-depth Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA).

New plan and social participation

The proposal sent to the STJ details a new six-month work plan that includes hearing from civil society. The new timeline foresees that the steps to finalize the regulation of medical cannabis will extend until March 2026.

The director Thiago Campos, sworn in September, has already met with Embrapa to discuss authorizations for cannabis research. A day before the extension request, Campos also held an online meeting with patient associations.