Is Hemp Legal in Brazil?
May 29, 2026
Brazil legalized hemp (under 0.3% THC) cultivation in January 2026 under new ANVISA rules following the 2024 STJ ruling. Full licensing and import guide.
Brazil legalized hemp (under 0.3% THC) cultivation in January 2026 under new ANVISA rules following the 2024 STJ ruling. Full licensing and import guide.
Industrial hemp cultivation became legal in Brazil on January 28, 2026, when ANVISA approved a package of five Collegiate Board Resolutions (RDCs) that opened domestic production of cannabis containing no more than 0.3% THC for medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial use. The move implemented a November 2024 Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ruling in REsp 1.972.092 that ordered ANVISA to regulate hemp within six months.
The new framework requires companies to obtain a Special Authorization (Autorização Especial) from ANVISA in addition to standard agricultural and sanitary licenses. Cultivation is restricted to authorized commercial operators; there is no hobbyist or farmer-direct pathway, and recreational sale of hemp flower remains prohibited. EMBRAPA, the federal agricultural research agency, received clearance in 2025 for large-scale research trials. Hemp-derived consumer goods such as foods, cosmetics, and textiles still require product-specific ANVISA or MAPA registration.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Legal
ANVISA; Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA)
0.3% THC (dry weight)
ANVISA RDC package of January 28, 2026; STJ REsp 1.972.092 (November 2024)
Hemp seeds, biomass, and finished products may be imported by ANVISA-authorized operators holding an Operating License (AFE), Special Authorization (AE), and GMP certification, with shipment-level clearance from Receita Federal. Patients may still import finished hemp-derived medical products for personal use under RDC 660/2022. Export of domestically cultivated hemp requires the same Special Authorization plus a CITES-compatible phytosanitary certificate from MAPA.
