Brazil
Is Hemp Legal in Brazil?
Status
Legal
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 28, 2026
The short answer
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.
Key facts ·
Brazil
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
0.3% THC (dry weight)
Regulator
ANVISA; Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA)
Key regulation
ANVISA RDC package of January 28, 2026; STJ REsp 1.972.092 (November 2024)
Effective
January 28, 2026
Adult-use cannabis
Decriminalized
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
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.
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