The module, a highlight of the 4th edition of the Brazilian Congress on Medicinal Cannabis, brings innovations, challenges and opportunities for cannabis cultivation in Brazil
The agreement signed between Sechat and Embrapa to hold the Agro and Tech Module at the Brazilian Congress on Medicinal Cannabis (CBCM) 2025 promotes contributions to the debate and innovation in the cultivation of medicinal cannabis. With the decision of the STJ, in November 2024, which authorizes planting in Brazil for medicinal purposes, the event, scheduled for May 2025, will be a crucial platform to discuss scientific advances, innovations and sustainability in the sector.
Dr. Beatriz Marti Emygdio, a researcher in genetics and plant breeding at Embrapa Clima Temperado, highlights the importance of this agreement to connect science, market and technology. "The CBCM will be a space to present challenges and explore solutions that can shape the future of cannabis cultivation in the country, connecting producers, researchers and consumers in a more efficient and sustainable production chain. Embrapa, by incorporating cannabis into its research portfolio, has been creating new connections and opportunities for the sector", she states.
Applied science: foundations for sustainable cultivation
Beatriz emphasizes that Brazil has advantageous soil and climate conditions for cannabis production, but that adequate regulation is essential to ensure competitiveness. "The adaptation of cannabis cultivars to our territory involves not only the development of cultivars adapted to different photoperiod regimes, but also the definition of specific chemotypes and post-harvest technologies that ensure stability and quality in the production of extracts", explains the researcher. She emphasizes that scientific advancement is the basis for building a robust and sustainable national medicinal cannabis industry.
The main topics that will be considered in the module include:
Seed and chemotype certification: ensuring cultivars adapted to Brazilian conditions, with high productivity and strict control over THC and CBD levels.
Environmental sustainability: using cannabis byproducts to create more efficient production chains and promote a circular economy.
Post-harvest technologies: ensuring quality and efficiency in the production of medicinal extracts.
"The regulation of industrial hemp cultivation in Brazil is a step forward, but we must remember that the regulation needs to provide for the possibility of producing THC from CBD, which is already occurring in other countries and raises concerns. Legislation must consider this aspect when dealing with medicinal cannabis derivatives, to avoid risks associated with cannabis cultivation," adds Beatriz.
Regulatory challenges and their implications
With a focus on aspects such as permitted cultivation modalities — open, semi-open and closed — and the definition of cultivation area limits, there is an important point to be considered in the process of regulating cultivation in the country. "It will also be essential to discuss the implications of regulation for small producers and the inclusion of individual producers in the production chain," she states.
The researcher also highlights that, among the regulatory issues, the production of certified seeds and phytosanitary control will be extremely important to guarantee the quality of cultivation in Brazil.
"We need regulations that control the production of seeds with an adequate genetic profile and that we have strict control over crop traceability. Embrapa will be able to contribute with research focused on genetic improvement, production systems, agronomic and phytosanitary management, post-harvest technologies and climate risk zoning to ensure sustainable and safe production."
Integration as the key to success
The Agro and Tech Cannabis Module stands out for its integrated approach, bringing together different stages of the cannabis production chain. Beatriz believes that the event will allow researchers, producers and representatives of the industrial sector to exchange valuable experiences. "Balancing theory with practice is essential for the success of the sector. The CBCM will be an opportunity to discuss, in depth, the solutions that we can apply to the challenges of production and regulation in Brazil", explains the researcher.
In addition, Beatriz emphasizes the importance of discussing inclusive models of the production chain. "Medical cannabis has great potential to add value per area, and can generate economic and social development. We intend to discuss decentralized cultivation models, local production arrangements and include small producers in the process, so that we can build a more inclusive and sustainable production chain", she concludes.
The future of cannabis cultivation in Brazil
With the expectation of bringing together 1,200 congress participants and more than 100 renowned speakers, the CBCM 2025 is consolidating itself as the main
Sechat and EMBRAPA formalize agreement to carry out the Agro and Technology Module at CBCM 2025
