How the prescription process works in Brazil

One of the most common questions from people looking into medical cannabis is: “Is this legal?” The answer is yes. In Brazil, the medical use of cannabis-based products is allowed, as long as there is a doctor's prescription and the product is obtained through one of the regulated routes. Here is a simplified look at how it works.

It all starts with a medical assessment

The first step is a consultation. The doctor reviews your history, your health conditions and the medications you take, and assesses whether the treatment is appropriate for you. If it is, the doctor writes a prescription specifying the right product, concentration and dosage.

From there, there are three main routes to access treatment.

1. Pharmacies (RDC 327/2019)

In 2019, through resolution RDC 327/2019, Anvisa, Brazil's health regulatory agency, created the category of cannabis products. These can be manufactured or imported by authorized companies and sold in pharmacies with a prescription. In addition to the prescription itself, the patient needs a Notificação de Receita, a special controlled-prescription form (type A or B), and which one is required depends on the THC concentration:

• THC up to 0.2%: the prescription comes with a Notificação de Receita B (the blue form).
• THC above 0.2%: the prescription comes with a Notificação de Receita A (the yellow form), and use is restricted to patients who have no other treatment options or who are in palliative care.

This route is usually convenient, since the product is bought within Brazil. However, the range of products and their prices vary considerably. There is also one cannabis-based medicine registered with Anvisa, approved for spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

2. Personal importation (RDC 660/2022)

It is also possible to import cannabis-based products for your own use, under Anvisa's resolution RDC 660/2022. In general, the process follows these steps:

1. 1Consultation and prescription.
2. 2Registration of the patient (or their legal guardian) with Anvisa through the gov.br portal (the Brazilian government's online services platform), submitting the prescription and the required documents.
3. 3Anvisa reviews and approves the registration.
4. 4Purchase of the product from a supplier abroad, shipped to the patient's address.

The registration is valid for a limited time and may need to be updated, for example when it expires or when the prescription changes significantly.

3. Patient associations

In some regions, patient associations produce and supply cannabis-derived products to their members, often backed by court decisions. This route also requires a medical prescription. Since conditions vary widely from one association to another, it's worth checking each one's legal status and quality controls.

Which route should I choose?

It depends on the type of product prescribed, the concentration needed, the cost, the delivery time and your preference. During the consultation, you'll get guidance on the options available for your prescription and on how to complete each step safely.

What about growing your own?

Home cultivation for medical purposes has no general regulation in Brazil. Some people obtain permission through individual court decisions, but this is an exceptional route that requires its own legal assessment.

In summary

• Medical use of cannabis is legal in Brazil with a doctor's prescription.
• The main routes are pharmacies (RDC 327/2019), importation (RDC 660/2022) and patient associations.
• Prescription requirements vary according to the product's THC content.
• Up-to-date, personalized guidance is part of the consultation.