Across the globe, jurisdictions that enforce strict cannabis prohibition spend significant resources on law enforcement, judicial proceedings, and incarceration. Beyond the financial burden, criminalizing possession can have long-lasting negative impacts on individuals’ lives, from reduced employment opportunities to social stigma.
In countries with hardline cannabis laws, these costs accumulate quickly, prompting policymakers to reassess the efficiency and fairness of current approaches.
Brazil Takes a Research-Based Approach
Recognizing the need for data-driven policy, the Brazilian government has committed R$390,000 from the National Anti-Drug Fund (FUNAD) to study the real-world effects of cannabis reform.
According to Sechat (translated from Portuguese):
"The Ministry of Justice and Public Security will allocate funding for research analyzing the practical effects of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) decision on marijuana possession. The initiative aims to differentiate users from traffickers.”
The study will evaluate court sentences, on-the-spot arrests, and procedural negotiations to determine whether legal reforms have genuinely altered how cannabis possession is treated—or if subjective criteria continue to disproportionately target certain populations.
Toward a Sensible Cannabis Policy
Brazil is not alone in exploring modernized cannabis policy. Advocates argue that, much like alcohol, cannabis can be safely and effectively regulated for adult use. Evidence from other countries demonstrates that legalization and regulation reduce enforcement costs while protecting consumers and patients.
A harmonized approach could not only relieve the legal system but also foster public health, economic opportunities, and social equity.
For context on broader Latin American trends and how other countries are modernizing cannabis policy, see our article on Colombia’s upcoming pharmacy-based medical cannabis program.
