Brazil’s agricultural research agency, Embrapa, is preparing to launch a long-term research program aimed at developing cannabis cultivation for various purposes, including medicinal and industrial uses. This 12-year program seeks to boost cannabis production in the same way Embrapa previously transformed Brazil into a leading exporter of grains. The program is set to begin after Brazil’s health agency, Anvisa, is expected to approve cannabis research later this year.
Embrapa scientists, who have helped to breed high-yielding varieties of grains, cotton, and vegetables suited to Brazil’s tropical climate, envision applying the same expertise to cannabis. Their efforts will focus on creating a cannabis seed bank and adapting cannabis strains to Brazilian soil and weather conditions. Additionally, Embrapa plans to identify and develop regional hubs for cannabis production across the country.
In line with the research, Embrapa is already in talks with several domestic and international companies interested in collaborating. These companies are exploring a range of applications, from medicine and food products to agricultural benefits such as crop rotation and soil carbon fixation. The success of previous Embrapa initiatives, such as the genetic improvements that helped expand soybean farming across Brazil, has sparked optimism that similar breakthroughs can be achieved for cannabis cultivation.
A major legal development occurred in November 2024, when a Brazilian higher court ruled in favor of legalizing the planting of hemp for medicinal purposes. This decision allowed Anvisa until May 2025 to establish specific regulations for hemp cultivation. Despite a request for a six-month extension being denied in a court hearing in February 2025, the ruling has paved the way for Brazil to move forward with cannabis farming, particularly focusing on hemp, which contains less than 0.3% of the psychoactive compound THC.
Hemp is widely known for its applications in medicinal products, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), and for its industrial uses, such as in textiles and paper production. One of the companies benefiting from the court ruling is DNA Solucoes em Biotecnologia, which received permission to apply for a cultivation license. Kiara Cardoso, the company’s founder, believes that large-scale hemp production will eventually become a major industry in Brazil, supporting sectors such as textiles, paper, and food products. However, current planting regulations may limit cultivation to small indoor spaces that comply with stringent protocols for pharmaceutical supply chains.
Although Brazil is taking steps toward cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes, the recreational use of marijuana remains illegal. Countries like Uruguay and Canada have embraced broader cannabis industries, but Brazil’s path is more focused on hemp production for medicinal and industrial purposes.
Globally, China is the leading producer and exporter of hemp, with other countries such as France and Paraguay also recognizing the economic potential of cannabis cultivation. As Brazil looks to enter this market, its research program could potentially position the country as a significant player in the global cannabis industry.
