Is Brazil Ready to Speed ​​Up Cannabis Legalization?

The Bolsonaro government in Brazil has spoken out loudly against cannabis. Medical or recreational, they don’t support it. This despite the fact that the Latin American country has more than 212 million people, of whom more and more are slowly moving towards wider access to medicinal cannabis.

A report by Prohibition Partners shows that around 14,500 medical cannabis prescriptions were issued in Brazil in 2020, 135% more than the previous year. There is hope as more and more doctors show an interest in learning more about cannabis and the correct ways to prescribe it, although there is still very high prejudice against it because their own president is still ill-informed.

But on June 8, a bill was passed, albeit narrowly, by the Special Commission of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies authorizing the cultivation of cannabis for medical, scientific, industrial and veterinary purposes. Bolsonaro’s government supporters tried unsuccessfully to prevent the bill from reaching the House of Lords, where it would receive final approval, but thanks to the efforts of MP Luciano Ducci’s monumental vote, the bill got through.

This new law would legalize the cultivation of marijuana in Brazil, but with a number of restrictions; Only patient associations, companies and NGOs could grow the plant. Meanwhile, personal or individual cultivation would still be prohibited. Right now, ANVISA, the Brazilian version of the FDA, allows the import of some cannabis-derived drugs, although the insanely high prices make it simply impossible for many patients to afford them. For example, patients with Alzheimer’s disease have to spend around $ 2,000 each month to get the imported drugs they need, so access is severely limited to those who can afford it. What complicates matters is that patients are not allowed to buy more cannabis than they need for a month.

For now, it remains to be seen whether the House of Lords will approve the law, but it is as clear as day and night that Bolsonaro remains opposed to any kind of cannabis use. He believes this will only open the door to mainstream consumption and the whole country will be under the influence of what is not something they want.

Brazil: The largest cannabis market in Latin America

Brazil is clearly missing out on not only life-saving drugs, but money that can save the economy through legal cannabis.

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize marijuana. Although legalization is still in its infancy worldwide, decriminalizing it would be the natural first step, and in Latin America medical cannabis is already decriminalized in almost every country.

In 2019, Brazil had the largest number of cannabis users in the country compared to many Latin American countries, while recreational cannabis spending is expected to exceed $ 160 million by 2027. Brazil is not only the largest country in the region, but also the one that benefits most economically from the cannabis industry.

A report from Prohibition Partners also shows how Latin America could be on the cusp of a cannabis industry boom despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Their results suggest that the boom may still come, albeit at a slower pace. “Much is expected for the final months of 2020 and early 2021, as countries discuss the approval of recreational products and a growing interest not only in the hemp industry, but also in the sustainability of its cultivation along with cannabis,” it says Report.

That makes sense: after all, production costs in the region are significantly lower compared to North America, mainly because workers have lower wages. This cost cut is seen as extremely attractive to more investors, especially as cannabis stocks seem to continue to fall in other locations. It’s also a hotspot for growing cannabis, as Latin America enjoys a tropical climate that allows plants to enjoy 12 hours of sunlight, while abundant rain stimulates the growth of the cannabis plants.

“It is to be expected that there will be a growing demand for a local market and that attention will be shifted from a pure export economy to an industry that will pay increasing attention to the development of local market opportunities, facilitated by a highly urbanized population, sharing a large pharmacy chain market , broad availability of delivery services and a growing trend towards telemedicine in a highly digitized society, ”the report says.

Of course, the pandemic hit Latin America just as it did the rest of the world. But smart leaders know that there are many more incentives to legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis because it will boost the economy – and we all need it badly.

“While there are always benefits to being an early mover, the current COVID-19 situation is increasing the demand for revenue, which also requires the government to adjust the regulatory pathway to help the sector meet these milestones” explains Lucas Nosiglia, head of Latin America for Avicanna, an MMJ maker. “The results to date are positive as we have accelerated certain commercial efforts, including the successful export of non-psychoactive drugs and seeds both domestically, in Colombia and to international markets, including the United States.”

It is time to end prohibition in Latin America.

There is plenty of evidence to prove in many ways that the cannabis ban is just a failure. It hasn’t even been able to achieve its own goals, but what makes it worse is that the ban has sparked an onslaught of undesirable side effects, especially when it comes to human rights.

CANNABIS IN BRAZIL, READ MORE …

LEGAL CANNABIS PHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESS IN BRAZIL RECEIVES STATE APPROVAL