Colombian Senate Passes Cannabis Legalization Bill

After several months of discussions, the Colombian Senate has officially approved a bill for the national legalization of cannabis. During the final reading, 56 out of 59 senators voted in favor of the proposal. The bill will now move to the lower house of the national parliament for further consideration and approval. Since the bill is a constitutional amendment, the review and revision process in the lower house is also expected to take several months.

Key Provisions of the Reform

The reform, authored by Congressman Juan Carlos Losada, proposes to amend the country’s constitution to include provisions that guarantee citizens not only the freedom to alter their consciousness, but also legal protection for the production and use of cannabis. If the bill is approved by the lower house and signed by the president, the parliament will have an additional six months to finalize the details of the legal market system and organize its implementation.

Regulations and Restrictions

• The bill would allow the free use of cannabis in all places where tobacco smoking is permitted.
• Consumption and related products would be restricted and subject to administrative fines only in certain public and educational institutions.
• The law would introduce an age restriction, prohibiting the use, production, and possession of cannabis and its components by anyone under 21 years old.
• A portion of the tax revenue from the legal cannabis market would be allocated to educational and awareness campaigns to inform all groups of citizens about the potential risks of excessive cannabis use.

Support and International Context

The reform has received public support from the country’s Minister of Justice, Néstor Osuna, and President Gustavo Petro. A few months ago, President Petro addressed the United Nations, calling for global support for cannabis reforms in other countries. Last month, he visited Mexico and met with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to discuss cannabis reforms in their respective countries and the possibility of sharing successful legalization experiences with other nations in the region.