Piauí Wants to Be the First State to Grow Marijuana and to Produce Cannabidiol

07/13/2018 - 13h31

The government of Piauí, in northeastern Brazil, will request the authorization from the Federal Police and Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) to be the first Brazilian state to grow marijuana for the production of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound used for medicinal purposes.

Since 2014, Anvisa authorizes, on a case by case basis, the import of cannabidiol supported by medical reports and prescription, usually for children suffering from epilepsy and severe seizures. In some cases, their monthly treatment can cost more than R$ 3,000 (US$ 778).

UFPI (Federal University of Piauí), involved in the project, contacted Anvisa about the production of cannabidiol. According to the government, Anvisa responded that the creation of a protocol for the research and use of the medicine was required, and that this needs to be done by August. After such protocol is in place, the State will file an official requested with Anvisa.

Anvisa states it has not officially received a request to conduct the research, but UFPI has contacted the body regarding technical questions.

The body also reported that the cultivation activity cannot be authorized at the moment, because it lacks regulation, and the matter is under discussion.

	Edi Vasconcelos /Folhapress
	UFPI (Federal University of Piauí), involved in the project, contacted Anvisa about the production of cannabidiol

Since 2006, Law 11,343 provides for the authorization to grow cannabis exclusively for medicinal or scientific purposes, by means of supervision, but the lack of regulation on the subject prevents the process from moving forward.

There are exceptions. In 2016, at least three families were allowed to plant a specific strain of marijuana containing a higher concentration of cannabidiol to treat children.

From 2016 until today, 4,106 cannabidiol import requests have been authorized by Anvisa for personal use.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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