Da planta ao mercado: a ascensão econômica da cannabis medicinal e o caso brasileiro

Abstract

This monograph analyzes the medicinal cannabis market from economic, scientific, and regulatory perspectives, with a special focus on the Brazilian context. After centuries of therapeutic use being marginalized by prohibitionist policies, cannabis has regained global relevance due to growing scientific evidence confirming its benefits in treating conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, anxiety, and neurological disorders. In countries like Canada, Germany, and Israel, regulation has enabled the development of profitable production chains, with positive impacts on job creation, tax revenues, and scientific innovation. In Brazil, although the importation of medicinal cannabis products was authorized by Anvisa in 2015, regulatory, bureaucratic, and cost barriers still limit access. Based on data from consulting firms and official agencies, this study shows that the sector could generate over R$ 26 billion in revenue and create more than 300 thousand jobs in the coming years if comprehensive regulation is implemented. The research concludes that medicinal cannabis, beyond its therapeutic potential, represents a strategic opportunity for the country’s economic and social development, provided that social stigma and regulatory delays are overcome