Anvisa prohibits the importation of marijuana flowers – 07/19/2023 – Health

Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) published this Wednesday (19) a technical note prohibiting the importation of marijuana flowers for medicinal purposes, as well as Cannabis in natura and part of the plant.

Among the reasons for the prohibition are the high degree of risk of diversion for illicit purposes and the validity of international drug control treaties to which Brazil is a signatory.

“As of 07/20/2023, new authorizations/proof of registration will not be granted for the importation of the Cannabis plant in natura, parts of the plant or flowers. There will be a transition period of 60 days for the conclusion of imports that are already in progress course and authorizations to import Cannabis in natura, parts of the plant and flowers already issued will be valid until 9/20/2023” said Anvisa, in a note.

Such as Sheet showed, a parallel market for “legalized marijuana” for recreational use has developed in the country. The practice takes place through a loophole in Anvisa’s rule, which has allowed the importation of marijuana flowers for medicinal purposes.

The loophole occurs because the norm, RDC 660, talks about permission to import industrialized cannabis-based products without specifying what they would be. This importation is legal, as long as it has a medicinal purpose.

This issue has already entered the sights of the Federal Police, which has been working together with Anvisa to try to identify people and companies that take advantage of the gap for recreational use. In the view of authorities, if identified, the person may respond for international drug trafficking.

With the aim of testing the process of importing and carrying a medical prescription for medicinal use, the report by Sheet obtained authorization from Anvisa to import the flower, in addition to CBD oil (cannabidiol), a substance found in the herb and which has been used therapeutically.

The report purchased and received 20 grams of industrialized marijuana flowers. Experts point out that it has a high CBD content, but a low amount of THC, the herb’s active ingredient that gives the “high” sought after by recreational users.

The whole process, from consultation, Anvisa authorization, purchase, arrival of the product in Brazil, release from the agency and delivery to the indicated residence, lasted less than 30 days.

Agency data show that the market for medicinal cannabis-based products has taken a leap since 2015, when the import regulation process began. In 2022, 80,258 authorizations were granted for the importation of products with the substance, double that of 2021 (40,165) and almost 100 times that of 2015 (850 authorizations).