Brazil: the bill authorizing the cultivation of medical cannabis makes headway in Congress

A committee of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday approved a plan to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.

However, the text still has a long and tortuous way to go in a legislature dominated by conservative forces. Moreover, ultra-right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro warned several weeks ago that he would veto the text if it were approved by both chambers.

The PL 399/15 would authorize companies, NGOs and patient associations to cultivate cannabis for «medicinal, veterinary, scientific and industrial purposes».

It would also regulate the marketing of cannabis-based medicines and authorize the production and marketing of products made from cannabis. industrial hemp, such as cosmetics, personal hygiene products and paper.

It would also authorize the import and export of cannabis seeds, plants and derivatives «for medicinal and industrial purposes».

The text received a close vote (18 for and 17 against) in the special commission. Opposition deputies argued that the text was a further step towards the liberalization of cannabis in Brazil, calling it a «legal framework for marijuana».

The bill's rapporteur, Deputy Luciano Ducci, however, defended the bill's focus on the medical use of cannabis, which he says is present in 50 countries.

«This has never been a premise for discussing the legalization of cannabis for adult or individual use,» he said.

After being approved by the special committee, the bill could go straight to the Senate, where it must pass through the committees and the plenary.

But if a minimum of 52 deputies demand it, it will first be analyzed by the plenary of the House, which is likely to happen given the controversy the issue is stirring up in Brazil.

On Tuesday morning, Bolsonaro quipped that if the leftist Workers« Party (PT) of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returns to power, he will »plant marijuana" in the gardens of the official residence.

Cannabis cultivation is forbidden in Brazil, but under a 2006 law, the judicial system has authorized certain individuals or families to plant cannabis in their homes after justifying the medical need.

In 2019, the Brazilian health regulator has approved the manufacture of cannabis-based products and their sale in pharmacies for medicinal purposes and under professional prescription.

But to be able to manufacture and sell it, we now need to import these products.