Portugal: Market and legal data analysis of the cannabis sector

13th March 2024: Portugal: The National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) has authorised three cannabis-based preparations for medical use, press reports. Further information on the products was not disclosed. Previously, only one cannabis-based preparation was available, which was authorised for marketing in 2021.
11th March 2024: Portugal: Following the dissolution of Parliament in November 2023, the Democratic Alliance – a centre-right political alliance composed of the Social Democratic Party, the People's Party and the People's Monarchy Party – won the elections held yesterday (10th March), press reports. Although we do not believe the change of government will have a radical impact on the sector, it is likely that the parties in the alliance will take a more negative view of cannabis, particularly in relation to recreational cannabis.
6th February 2024: Portugal: The General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) has issued a technical note on hemp feed. The note explains that only hemp seeds of controlled and certified varieties, their derivatives and hemp stalks are authorised as raw materials for animal feed. Hemp leaves, flowers and CBD extracts are not permitted.
10th November 2023: Portugal: Following a corruption scandal allegedly involving prime minister António Costa and his announced resignation, president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said Parliament would be dissolved and new elections would be held on 10th March 2024. Bills pending in Parliament that have not been approved in a general debate – such as a bill to legalise recreational cannabis – must be approved by the end of the legislature or will expire. Although still uncertain, a change in the governing party could indicate a more restrictive approach to cannabis.
21st August 2023: Portugal: The National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) has withdrawn two cannabis-based creams from the market. According to the authority, the products contain CBD, which is not permitted in cosmetic products since it is obtained from cannabis extracts or tinctures.
3rd July 2023: Portugal: The General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) has published a leaflet with information about cannabis in food. The document states that only seeds, seed oil, seed flour and partially defatted seeds derived from cannabis can be used in food. The THC content limit is 3 mg/kg for all products, with the exception of oil, which has a limit of 7.5 mg/kg.
22nd May 2023: Portugal: The chief inspector of the National Operations of the Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE), Ana Oliveira, has told the press that commercialisation of food with CBD is not allowed and that extracts of Cannabis sativa with CBD are considered novel food. She added that the ASAE has been developing inspections at a national level in physical and online retailers, with over 4m products seized last year.
21st April 2023: Portugal: The Liberal Initiative party, an opposition party with eight seats in Parliament, has introduced a bill to legalise recreational cannabis. The bill allows the cultivation, production, trade, import and export of cannabis for personal use and home cultivation of six plants per household. "There is an expectation that a political consensus will be found this time", said one party member, Carlos Guimarães Pinto.
6th March 2023: Portugal: On Friday, 3rd March, the government published Decree 64/2023, which increased the THC cap for industrial hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%, as established by EU Regulation 2021/2115. The decree entered into force on 4th March, the day after its publication.
19th September 2022: Portugal: At the Medical Cannabis Conference, the chairman of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacists and former member of the Ministry of Health, Hélder Mota Filipe, said that it is crucial to make a clear distinction between medical and recreational cannabis, press reports. For him, people's perception of recreational cannabis can contaminate the perception of medical use. Possession and consumption of recreational cannabis was decriminalised in 2000 for personal use.
7th June 2022: Portugal: The opposition party Bloco de Esquerda told the press that it is going to deliver to Parliament a draft law to legalise recreational cannabis for personal use. The draft allows sales in specialist retail stores and the cultivation of five plants per person. Although the party presented a similar draft law a year ago that was rejected, it believes it is more likely to pass now with the current government composition. Possession and use of cannabis were decriminalised in 2000.

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