Yo, what’s up? It’s your boy Dan here, coming at you with some fresh news from Brazil. So, check it – the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in Brazil, which is like the top court for non-constitutional things, is about to rule on whether companies and farmers can grow cannabis in the country. This could be a big deal because it might allow for legal cultivation of weed for medicinal and industrial purposes, even though lawmakers haven’t been able to make it happen yet.
So, here’s the deal – this biotech company called DNA Solucoes em Biotecnologia has brought a case to the court, asking for permission to import seeds and grow cannabis with higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). That way, they can use it for medical stuff without worrying about people getting too high. Reuters reports that the STJ made its decision public on March 14 and said that it would be setting a precedent for the whole country.
What does this mean for Brazil? Well, first of all, all pending cases about growing cannabis will be paused until the STJ makes its final decision. Right now, companies are allowed to sell and produce cannabis products in Brazil, but they have to import all the key ingredients. If the STJ makes growing cannabis legal, it could be a game-changer. Brazil might even become a leader in this area, like how they were ahead of the curve on same-sex marriage back in 2011.
Last year, the same court ruled that patients in Brazil could grow their own cannabis for medical treatment. The judges said that three patients could grow weed and turn it into oil to help them with pain relief. This was a big deal because it set a precedent for similar cases across the country.
Medical cannabis is already legal in Brazil to some extent, but recreational use is still banned. It wasn’t really a big topic in last year’s presidential election, either. The guy who won, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, doesn’t seem to have much of a plan for cannabis specifically. But he’s supposed to have a more “humane” drug policy than his predecessor, so we’ll see what happens.
Right now, growing Cannabis sativa L – the plant that makes hemp and marijuana – is not allowed in Brazil. But there are researchers and weed companies who say that Brazil would be perfect for growing it because of the climate.
The fact that the STJ is willing to set a precedent on this issue is pretty exciting. A Brazilian lawyer named Victor Miranda told Reuters that this decision is consistent with other legal judgements in Brazil. It’s hard to say how the final ruling will go, but at least we know that they’re taking this seriously.
Alright my dudes, that’s all I’ve got for you today. Keep chillin’ and stay lit!
