Anvisa prohibits import of cannabis in natura: understand the changes

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) reinforced, this Thursday (20), the ban on the importation of cannabis in natura, whether in flowers or parts of the plant – which concentrate psychoactive and medicinal active principles.

Medicines that are made from cannabis have not changed. Anvisa has allowed the importation of products with assets extracted from the herb since 2015. In 2019, the agency began to allow the sale of products with cannabis in their composition in pharmacies.

import ban

Previously, Anvisa’s resolutions were not clear in the veto, and there may be a loophole for diversion of the substance. Previously, in order to obtain authorization, the patient had to file a request, according to his medical prescription, which would use in natura variations of the plant that offer high concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD).

These variations are not a source of THC — a component associated with adult consumption for recreational use, which is illegal in Brazil. The use of CBD in natura can be done through food preparation and inhalation.

In medicines, CBD is used as a sedative, analgesic and anticonvulsant, in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, among others.

According to the new rule, there will be a transition period of 60 days to finish imports in progress. And for authorizations already granted, they will be valid until 09/20/2023.

_{Prohibition of raw cannabis for import. (Photo: Reproduction/Freepik)}

Efficacy of cannabis in natura

Anvisa justifies the ban on importing parts of the plant, as there is no robust evidence on the effectiveness of its use, and reaffirmed that combustion and inhalation are not safe for medicinal consumption.

“Considering that, so far, there is no robust scientific evidence to prove safety, in addition to the high potential for diversion for illicit purposes, the importation of products composed of the Cannabis plant in natura or parts of the plant, including the flowers, is not allowed”wrote the agency.

“The combustion and inhalation of a plant are not pharmaceutical forms/routes of administration of a product intended for health treatment”highlights Anvisa in technical note number 35/2023.

According to the agency, the current regulation of products with parts of the plant does not include permission for use even after a drying process or even in a crushed form.

The technical note considers the high risk of illegal diversion and also addresses international drug control treaties to which Brazil is a party.

Featured photo: Anvisa prohibits the importation of cannabis in natura. Photo: Playback/ Freepik.