Brazil Hemp Laws: Is It Legal to Grow CBD Seed?

Brazil’s made significant changes in its attitude about cannabis cultivation in recent years. In 2019, Anvisa, the pharmaceutical regulating agency in Brazil, approved the importation of medical cannabis products. Furthermore, a specific company was given the go-ahead by a judge to grow industrial hemp with less than 0.3% THC.

Farmers are now curious about what this means. If one company is allowed to grow hemp seed in Brazil, shouldn’t they all be? And does this mean that commercial production of cannabis has been finally legalized? Here’s what you need to know.

Is It Legal to Grow Hemp Seed in Brazil?

It’s a good question. And, one that no one really knows the answer to at the moment. Under Brazil law, it’s illegal to cultivate plants from which drugs can be extracted or produced. Specifically, this ruling is stated in Law 11,343 of 2006. However, just recently, a judge gave approval to a company to sell seeds, leaves, and fibers of the plant solely for industrial purposes. What’s more, there’s a loophole in the law that would allow for hemp cultivation with government approval. Law 11,343 states that “the federal government may authorize the planting, cultivation and harvesting of [these plants] solely for medicinal or scientific purposes.”

For these reasons, farmers are hopeful. It appears that Brazil may be making additional changes to its cannabis laws in the near future. And because of the recent ruling in judicial court, it’s quite possible that other companies will be able to obtain approval to grow hemp for industrial purposes. However, the magistrate has stated that companies must absolutely obtain federal approval before beginning cultivation.

History of Hemp Cultivation in Brazil

As it turns out, this would not be the first time that farmers grew hemp on Brazil soil. In fact, the country has a history of hemp cultivation that dates back to the 1800’s. Cannabis plants were introduced to Brazil by a group of Portuguese colonists. Originally, the plants were grown to be used as fiber. However, people become aware of the psychoactive effects of marijuana and began to use it for this reason. This led the Municipal Council of Rio de Janeiro to create a ruling that made cannabis cultivation illegal in 1830.

In 2015, attitudes towards cannabis in Brazil began to change. Terminally ill individuals were allowed to obtain cannabis products with THC concentrations exceeding 0.2%. Then, in 2017, Brazil granted a license for a cannabis based medicine. Later on, laws were relaxed even further in 2019 when Anvisa authorized the importation of medical cannabis products.

Only the future will tell if full legalization will become a reality in Brazil. But for now, things are heading in the right direction.

Ready to Plant Hemp Seed on your Land in Brazil?

Are you ready to start growing hemp seed on your Brazil farmland? Call CBD Seed Co. today. We’ll walk you through the process and help you find a way to pursue your dream.