Colombia and the challenges of cannabis legalization

Since May, Colombia has legalized medical cannabis. Adopted by 84 votes to 4, the regulation of medical cannabis came into force in July. In this country, where the plant grows almost naturally, the introduction of standards and rules has come up against the artisanal and ancestral knowledge of small-scale producers.

Cannabis production tolerated for 30 years

Colombia focused on the war on cocaine in the '80s and abandoned cannabis. Growing en masse on Colombia's mountainsides, cannabis use was difficult to curb. Cannabis-based decoctions, creams and oils have been produced by small-scale growers for decades.

A battle has now begun between the small producers who want to enter the legal market and the large companies who already possess the necessary industrial arsenal. The main problem for local producers lies in the production of their remedy. They often mix cannabis with coca leaf, rosemary and other medicinal plants.

Colombia's regulation of medical cannabis means that production will be standardized. Artisans will have to comply with the stringent specifications laid down by the government. Interviewed by RFI, Colombia's Minister of Health, Alejandro Gaviria, declared: «We have passed a resolution to help small producers obtain a license more easily. At the same time, they need to understand that this step implies standardization. To achieve this, they need to change their production methods. I believe we will continue to support small producers.»

A controversial first license

Licenses are issued after examination of a 300-page dossier by the Ministries of Health, Justice and Agriculture.

The first license authorizing the production and marketing of medical cannabis was awarded to Pharmaciello, a Colombian company specializing in flower production, but headquartered in Canada. The second was entrusted to the Colombian pharmaceutical laboratory Ecomedics and a third to another laboratory. Pharmaciello has a significant advantage in that it already has the technologies required for plant production.

Following these choices, Deputy Armando Benetteti calls for Colombians to be given priority in the cannabis market. «Once again we're prisoners of the gringos (Americans) and their business, we're counting the dead while they're making money». »They've already given licenses to three multinationals. We produce a foot for 5 cents when it costs them $1.75». Colombia could then take advantage of its low production costs to export its medical cannabis and thus bring legal 100% currency into the country's coffers.

Colombian therapeutic cannabis will be available on prescription. Patients suffering from muscle pain, arthritis, nausea, loss of appetite, anorexia, epilepsy, HIV, cancer and nervous system disorders will be able to treat themselves with this cannabis.

Théo Caillart