In June 2021, Mexico`s Supreme Court approved by 8 votes to 3 against lifting the ban on recreational marijuana contained in the General Health Law. The resolution states, among other things, that marijuana may be planted, collected, transported and distributed without punishment as long as it is for personal use. Colombia, the world`s largest producer of cocaine, legalized medical cannabis in 2016. Since then, several foreign companies have obtained licenses to produce and export cannabis, but recreational trade remains criminalized. In recent years, several countries such as Canada, South Africa and Uruguay have legalized marijuana, as have some states in the United States. In Brazil, drug law punishes drug possession and use. And since 2015, Brazil`s Supreme Court has been discussing decriminalizing the possession and personal use of illicit substances, but has so far failed to reach a conclusion. Although medical marijuana is not legalized in Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) added cannabis sativa to the official list of drugs in 2017. “If we want to legalize cannabis, are we going to lock up all these people in overcrowded prisons or is it time to release a lot of people?” the president asked. Colombia`s climate is ideal for growing cannabis. Many are now wondering how to get a cannabis license in Colombia.
Despite being one of the first countries in Latin America to legalize and regulate medical cannabis for domestic and export purposes, there are no medical cannabis products in the Colombian domestic market in 2019 [2]. Most companies are still in the research and development phase, but some companies sell cosmetics and CBD products nationwide. CBD is also exported from Colombia, but cannabis exports are still pending. GrowerIQ`s traceability software is an essential system that helps you comply with medical marijuana cultivation in Colombia. Our experts can help you build a successful international cannabis business and make an effort within all legal frameworks. For more information, please contact our cannabis experts by filling out the form below. In addition, the text gives the government six months to formulate a comprehensive public policy on the prevention and management of cannabis use. This commitment means that the executive branch can protect minors from marijuana use as part of this comprehensive public policy. In Colombia, medical marijuana was legalized in 2016, but after a debate in the House of Representatives on November 3, 2020, the bill to legalize recreational use was suspended. Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants composed of several subspecies.
Also known as marijuana, this shrub of dark green color and strong aroma is surrounded by controversy for the psychoactive principles it contains. However, there are many other uses that are not related to drug use. These regulations expanded the bill passed in the Senate in March 2017 that authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The high courts of South Africa and Georgia have also lifted prohibitions on cannabis and legalized the plant for individual use. In countries such as Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Venezuela, marijuana use is illegal in all cases. Ireland, Australia, Jamaica and Germany adopted measures for their medical use in 2016, while Australia also allowed companies to apply for licenses to manufacture or grow marijuana products for medical purposes and conduct related research. Meanwhile, 15 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow recreational use of marijuana. In the November 2020 election, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota allowed cannabis use for adults. “Inclusion does not change the rules for importing cannabidiol or other marijuana extracts. The measure is also not an endorsement or recognition of cannabis as a medicinal plant,” explains ANVISA. That is, the substances of the plant are allowed, but not the plant itself.
A Colombian cannabis manufacturing license allows you to produce cannabis products for domestic use, export or scientific research. Cannabis manufacturing licences have as basic requirements to provide the property registration number or cadastral identification, certificate of use or bona fide possession of the property, if you do not own the property, you must also prove the rights of use. You will also need to submit a safety protocol, a cannabis cultivation plan, and a description of equipment and areas. In July 2021, Reuters reported that Colombian President Iván Duque had signed Decree 811, which lifted the ban on exporting dried cannabis. The Order also expands the sale of cannabis and simplifies regulatory procedures. The recreational use of cannabis remains illegal in Colombia. Medical marijuana is legal in some form in at least 30 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Anyone over the age of 21 can purchase medical marijuana in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Countries such as Chile, Peru and Paraguay have also approved medical cannabis.
Puerto Rico also allows marijuana for medical purposes. Marijuana, mota or faso, are some of the names of the recreational drug related to cannabis. It is not legally accepted in most societies, although there is an emerging current for its legalization and consistent decriminalization. Uruguay was one of the pioneers on this path. After Uruguay, Canada became the second country in the world and the first G7 country to legalize recreational marijuana. Through this law, adults can carry and share up to 30 grams of legal marijuana in public. They will also be able to grow up to four plants in their homes and prepare products that can be consumed for personal use, for example. Elsewhere, the president has also raised the possibility of legalizing all drugs, including cocaine. “As long as it is illegal (cocaine), it is a mechanism to make money, now we can reduce its murderous and violent power, which it is because it leaves the territory with traces of blood,” the president said at an event in Buenaventura. The different uses of cannabis in the economy have an important influence on Colombian legislation.
Regarding this regulation, Catalina Pinilla, partner of Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas, announced the introduction of a guide to understanding the legislation, as many companies may have doubts regarding the production, marketing, import and export of the plant. Dissidents of the peace pact that disarmed FARC guerrillas in 2017, ELN rebels and other armed groups are fighting for the proceeds of drug trafficking and other illicit activities in several regions of Colombia, which have recorded nearly 60 massacres so far in 2022. “Let`s bring people together (to discuss legalization). Even those who are armed arrive unarmed,” the president said. But if there is a commitment on the part of members of Congress, something that seems to be the case so far, and the reform is approved for June 20 next year± it will not come into force immediately, but 12 months after©its promulgation, because during this time, a regulatory standard will have to be worked on to define the details of legalization.