Cannabis and cannabinoids in Colombia

Colombia: The House of Representatives yesterday approved a bill amending the constitution to enable the consumption and production of recreational cannabis. The bill, which has now been through six debates, will have to go through two more in the Senate before 20th July if it is to be passed.

Colombia: According to a survey conducted by the Colombian Cannabis Industry Observatory (OCIC), 74% of doctors in the country are in favour of medical cannabis, while 85% believe its benefits outweigh the possible risks, press reports. More than 92% of doctors consulted said a “clear and standardised” protocol on the formulation and prescription of medical cannabis should be established.

Colombia: Bill 002/2022 is expected to be passed within a few months, amending the constitution to legalise recreational cannabis, after the Chamber of Deputies yesterday approved an agreement with the Senate on suggested amendments. The agreed draft faces two more rounds of debate in each chamber, but no further changes can now be made.

Colombia: The Ministry of Health and Social Protection is proposing to add medical cannabis to the list of publicly funded medicines, media reports. The resolution, currently in draft form only, may reportedly be passed by the end of the year. It proposes proposes the creation of a register of cannabis-derived medicines, which would be funded if prescribed by a doctor.

Colombia: An opinion poll has found 65.2% of Colombians oppose the legalisation of recreational cannabis, press reports. The survey by GAD3 found 21% were in favour of the legalisation, while 11% were indifferent and 2.7% failed to respond. The recreational cannabis bill received overwhelming support last week in the Senate, where it was approved on its fourth vote out of eight by 56 votes to three.

Colombia: The Senate has approved Bill 002/2022 at its second reading by 56 votes to three. The bill, which aims to amend the constitution to legalise recreational cannabis, was approved on first and second votes by the Chamber of Representatives in September and October. It must still go through four more debates before it can be passed.

Colombia: The Senate has approved Bill 002/2022 on recreational cannabis on its first vote. The bill, which aims to amend the constitution to legalise recreational cannabis, has already been approved on first and second vote by the Chamber of Representatives, in September and October. It was introduced by members of the centre-left Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Colombiano), part of the ruling coalition, along with representatives from the Historic Pact (Pacto Histórico) and Radical Change (Cambio Radical) parties.

Colombia: The Global Commission on Drugs Policy (GCDP), whose members include a number of former heads of state and which advocates drug policies based on scientific evidence, human rights, and public health, has published a position paper on Colombia. The report recommends that the manufacture, cultivation, consumption, and sale of cannabis, among other drugs, be decriminalised and regulated. The commission believes a deep reform of drug policy in the country is required and could bring significant economic and social benefits. The recommendations are in line with the current Colombian government’s cannabis policy, which aims to legalise the cultivation, consumption, and sale of recreational cannabis.

Colombia: The Chamber of Representatives has approved the recreational cannabis bill on its first debate. The bill aims to regulate adult consumption of cannabis, enabling regions and municipalities to collect taxes on it. Another bill, seeking to amend the constitution to legalise recreational cannabis, was also approved on its first vote on 14th September. Both bills were introduced by members of the centre-left Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Colombiano), part of the ruling coalition, along with representatives from the Historic Pact (Pacto Histórico) and Radical Change (Cambio Radical) parties.