Paraguay to vote on cannabis legalization in March

The Paraguayan Senate is expected to vote on a reform that could legalize the sale of cannabis for adult use in regulated dispensaries, according to information from’El Planteo.

This legislative proposal, if adopted, would place Paraguay among the pioneering South American nations adopting legal cannabis markets.

Regulatory and economic framework

According to Marcelo Demp, President of the Paraguayan Chamber of Industrial Cannabis (CCIP), the’initiative to establish a regulated cannabis market and transparent. Speaking to El Planteo, Mr. Demp confirmed that the reform would integrate several national bodies, including the National Health Surveillance and Narcotics Directorate and the National Tax Revenue Directorate (DENIT). The aim is to guarantee a solid market infrastructure that complies with legislation.

Mr. Demp said, «In March, the Paraguayan Congress, through the Senate, will vote on extending the reform of the current legal framework, allowing the marketing of cannabis for adult use in dispensaries authorized and supervised by the National Directorate of Health Surveillance and Narcotics.».

A crucial aspect of this reform is its economic strategy, designed to attract Brazilian tourists. If the Brazil decriminalizes possession of 40 grams of cannabis, However, its legislation still prohibits cross-border transport of the substance. Nevertheless, Mr. Demp is optimistic about the future, indicating that legal transport between the Paraguay and Brazil may soon be possible.

The reform should offer economic incentives for rural farmers, with plans to pay approximately 25,000 per hectare for the legal cultivation of cannabis. These efforts aim to replace illegal cultivation with regulated cultivation, which will bring economic stability to the farming families and stimulate the national economy.

Paraguay's emerging role in legal cannabis

Paraguay is not a newcomer to the cannabis industry. The country has already made a name for itself by exporting hemp flowers to the Switzerland and is currently negotiating long-term contracts with Swiss and German companies. These agreements could enable Paraguay to export up to 4 tons of Cannabis flowers per year, consolidating its status as a major player on the international cannabis market.

Marcelo Demp underscored this potential when he said: «Large volumes of flower exports are on the horizon», indicating that Paraguay could soon become the leader in flower exports. cannabis exports in the region.

If the reform is adopted, Paraguay could become the second-largest country in Latin America.’South America to offer legal cannabis after Uruguay. This development would not only encourage tourism, but would also provide a controlled and safe environment for cannabis consumption, setting a precedent for neighboring countries, notably Uruguay. Colombia, which is also seeking to legalize.