Cannabis in Colombia

History of Cannabis in Colombia

Cannabis arrived in Colombia with Spanish colonization, at a time when the Crown was encouraging the cultivation of hemp in its colonies for its fibers. The plant then took root in several regions of the country. In the 1970s, Colombia became one of the main suppliers of marijuana to the North American market, with crops grown along the Caribbean coast, particularly in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and La Guajira. This period, known as the «marimbera bonanza,» left a lasting mark on the country’s image and fueled the repressive policies that followed.

This history explains why the issue is so sensitive in the country. Colombia has experienced decades of violence linked to drug trafficking, and cannabis remains associated, in the public mind, with that context, even though the plant is very different from cocaine. This has not prevented gradual progress: personal use is no longer punishable, and in 2016, Colombia became one of the first countries in Latin America to establish a framework for medical and scientific cannabis. Initiatives to regulate adult use, however, have been introduced one after another in Congress without success.

Cannabis Legislation in Colombia

Recreational cannabis: use is not punishable, but sale is prohibited

Recreational use of cannabis remains illegal and is subject to criminal prosecution. The consumption However, it is not subject to penalties, whereas any commercial activity, including importation, exportation, or production for recreational purposes, is prohibited and subject to prosecution. Anyone who attempts to profit from the commercialization of cannabis for recreational use commits a criminal offense.

Colombia also allows cultivation for personal use: the regulations provide for the possibility of growing up to 20 seedlings for personal consumption, without any processing or sale.

Medical cannabis: cultivation, sale, and import are permitted

The cultivation, sale, and import of cannabis for medical use are permitted in Colombia, under the supervision of several authorities. The ICA (Colombian Institute of Agriculture and Livestock) verifies that crops have the necessary phytosanitary and food safety authorizations. The Ministry of Justice authorizes cultivation. The Ministry of Health authorizes the processing of raw materials into processed ingredients, such as resins and oils, which are not intended for public consumption. INVIMA oversees the procedures for authorizing the marketing of finished products.

The regulations aim to provide patients with access to pharmaceutical products rather than raw cannabis. «Compounded medications»—preparations developed for a specific patient and not mass-produced—are now authorized and are actually being manufactured. Licenses may be revoked if an administrative investigation finds a violation of the rules.

CBD and Industrial Hemp

The regulations provide for the industrial use of THC-free cannabis (CBD), without specifying which industrial uses are covered. It authorizes both THC and CBD, but under different frameworks: THC may only be used as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical products, while CBD may be used as an active ingredient in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical products. Penalties for noncompliance are the same as those for medical cannabis.

News and Outlook: Toward Regulation of Adult Use?

Legalizing cannabis for adult use is a recurring topic in the Colombian Congress. Since 2020, nine bills have been debated, and all have been shelved along the way. In May 2026, the First Committee of the House of Representatives approved in its first reading a new bill (Bill 023 of 2025) aimed at regulating the production, marketing, and sale of cannabis for adult use. The bill notably provides for the exclusion of minors, a ban on advertising outside of digital spaces reserved for adults, and inclusion measures for vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by the armed conflict. It must still pass a second reading in a plenary session of the House and then go through the Senate. Follow our Cannabis News in Colombia See below for updates to the law.