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BRASÍLIA – Antonio Barra Torres, appointed by President Jair Bolsonaro (without a party) to command the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), said this Monday that it is up to Congress to discuss the release of marijuana planting for medicinal purposes. Barra Torres, who has been acting president of the regulatory agency since December, was the rapporteur for the vote that allowed the importation of cannabis-based drugs, but prohibited planting for this purpose in the country.
– There is no problem with these substances, as long as, of course, there is a firm rule to control them so that they do not do more harm than good. And in the case of the plantation, at that time, my understanding was that it was not for a regulatory agency to usurp a power that belongs to the senators and federal deputies who are members of this Congress. I cannot accept, at least personally, that kind of thing – said Barra Torres.
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At the time of the request for a hearing, in October 2019, Barra Torres was still in the position of director, for which he had been approved by the Senate in August. Anvisa analyzed the possibility that the agency authorizes the planting of marijuana by companies. At that time, Torres argued that the process was not carried out properly at the agency and that Anvisa would not have the legal prerogative to authorize the activity.
According to the deputy executive director, whose name was approved by the Senate Social Affairs Committee (CAS) tonight, it is not for a regulatory agency to “create an economic activity” that does not exist in the country.
– The fundamental point of support of my vote at that time was that it would not correspond to a regulatory agency to create an economic activity that did not exist in the country, but this House. So, the legitimacy of this discussion is taking place in the right place, where you, Excellencies, the legitimate representatives of our people, have not only the right, but also the duty, to take a position on this issue – said the President. agency.
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Barra Torres was questioned on the matter by senators Eduardo Girão (Pode-CE) and Mara Gabrili (PSDB-SP). The São Paulo senator asked him about the change of position on the matter, but Barra Torres was evasive. With the elusive response, Mara attacked him again, stating that he was not giving Anvisa more power as he justified.
– I also want to remind Dr. Antonio Barra that the first time we talked about medical cannabis before he assumed the position of deputy director, his speech for me was different. His speech was quite different from what happened after all the action. And I am not giving too much power to Anvisa, nor am I taking power away from the Legislature, on the contrary, I was only mentioning a change in your position in relation to me and in relation to this issue, in which you showed your interest for the first time time. in a way, and after becoming a deputy director, he performed differently, ”Mara noted.
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In July of last year, when he was appointed by the CAS to the position of director of the agency, Barra Torres said that he was in favor of more studies being carried out to support the liberation of the medical use of cannabidiol, a substance that is extracted from the cannabis.
– As studies deepen, the application [médica] could be authorized. I would be concerned about a general authorization for [a cannabis sativa] be planted, since it would not be possible to inspect – declared at the time.
The appointment of the director in charge of the agency, which he currently occupies on an interim basis, was approved this Monday night by the Senate Social Affairs Committee (CAS) of the Senate by 15 votes in favor and 3 against. The nomination has yet to be analyzed in the full Senate.
Barra Torres has a degree in Medicine from the Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, in Rio de Janeiro and joined the Navy in 1987. In 2015 he became Rear Admiral, one of the highest ranks of the Force, and went on to the reservation in the past year. The military has been serving as chairman of the health surveillance agency since December 21 of last year. He took office after William Dib’s term ended.
