Brazil’s veterinary cannabis market advances amid cautious scientific progress

Brazilian authorities open the door for licensed veterinarians to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for animals, marking a regulatory milestone amid ongoing scientific evaluation and cautious clinical adoption.

Brazil’s veterinary cannabis market is moving from the margins towards a regulated niche, but the science still lags the enthusiasm. Since 2024, licensed veterinarians have been able to prescribe cannabis-based medicines and products for animal use, after Anvisa allowed the agriculture ministry to assess applications for veterinary regularisation. The rules are narrow: products must be registered with Anvisa or carry sanitary authorisation, prescriptions require special controls, and compounding remains prohibited, according to the CRMV-SP and Anvisa.

That regulatory shift has not turned cannabis into a universal remedy. Veterinary guidance still stresses that treatment must be tailored to the individual animal, with careful product selection and follow-up. The CRMV-SP says dosage and application demand specialist knowledge, while researchers continue to test potential uses in pain, inflammation, neurological disorders and behavioural conditions.

Evidence remains uneven. A study by veterinarian Aline Gonçalves Goulart on a cannabidiol-rich extract in mustelids, including otters, found a reduction in stereotyped behaviour, but the small sample size limited firm conclusions. As Goulart put it, “Nem toda doença exige cannabis e nem toda cannabis serve para todos os pacientes”.

Professionalisation is also deepening. In July 2026, the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine authorised AMEC-VET to certify specialists in the field, underscoring a shift from experimentation towards structured clinical practice. For owners, the message remains cautious: do not medicate animals with cannabis products without veterinary oversight.