Colombian Senate approves plan to legalize cannabis

The Colombian Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize cannabis in Colombia, although several legislative stages remain before it can be enacted.

The bill, which has also been given a first approval by the country's House of Representatives, was approved by the Colombian Senate in the fourth round of debate on Tuesday by a vote of 56 in favor to 3 against.

https://twitter.com/SenadoGovCo/status/1600199069170802688

Legislators have met several times in recent weeks to debate the reform proposal, which would amend the country's constitution to end cannabis prohibition for adults. Yesterday's vote came some two weeks after the legalization bill was passed by the Senate's first committee.

The proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by deputy Juan Carlos Losada, takes into account the impact of legalization on public health and the economy, as well as the ideological principle of individual autonomy. If adopted, the authorities will have six months to promulgate rules for the adult-use market.

The legalization bill supports «the right to free development of the personality, allowing citizens to decide on cannabis consumption within a regulated legal framework». And it would mitigate «arbitrary discriminatory or unequal treatment of the consuming population».

The bill will restrict possession and public consumption in schools and certain public spaces. It also provides for public education campaigns and the promotion of addiction treatment services.

As a proposed constitutional amendment, the legislation must be submitted to a total of eight debates, spread over two separate calendar years.

In September, the Colombian president gave a speech at a meeting of the United Nations (UN), in which he urged member countries to fundamentally change their approach to drug policy and end prohibition.

Gustavo Petro also recently raised the prospect of legalizing cannabis in Colombia as a means of reducing the influence of the illicit market. And he has indicated that this change in policy should be followed by the release of those currently imprisoned for cannabis.

He also met with the Mexican president to jointly reshape drug policies.