Colombia has been at the forefront of cannabis legalization efforts for years, with a strong push towards regulation and decriminalization. This South American country has recognized the failed war on drugs and its impact on society, particularly in terms of violence and criminal activity surrounding illegal drug trafficking.
However, after making significant progress in recent years towards legalizing cannabis for adult use, Colombia has faced a major setback. The recent shelving of a cannabis legalization bill by the Senate has caused significant delays and raised concerns about the future of legalization in this country.
Colombia has a long history of drug policy that is deeply intertwined with its political and social landscape. In the past, Colombia’s approach to drugs focused on prohibition and criminalization, leading to a decades-long war on drugs that resulted in widespread violence and corruption.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards decriminalization and regulation of certain drugs, including cannabis. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled that small amounts of drugs for personal use should not be criminalized. This was a major step towards shifting the country’s drug policy.
Since then, there have been ongoing efforts to legalize and regulate cannabis in Colombia. In 2016, medical marijuana was legalized, followed by a push for adult-use legalization. While progress has been made, there have been numerous setbacks and delays in enacting legislation.
Colombia Punts Cannabis Legalization
In a surprising turn of events, the Colombian Senate recently decided to shelve a cannabis legalization bill that was on track for approval per Marijuana Moment. The decision came after fierce opposition and misinformation surrounding an unrelated executive decree that decriminalized small amounts of drugs. This move has caused a significant delay in the legalization process and raised concerns about the future of cannabis legislation in Colombia.
The shelving of this bill not only sets back progress made towards legalizing cannabis for adult use, but it also delays potential economic opportunities for the country. Legalization would create jobs, generate revenue, and allow Colombia to regulate the quality and safety of cannabis products.
There are various reasons why some individuals and groups in Colombia oppose the legalization of cannabis for adult use. These include concerns about increased drug use, access by minors, and potential negative effects on public health. Additionally, some politicians and conservative groups have used fear-mongering tactics to sway public opinion against legalization.
Sen. María José Pizarro Rodríguez, whom herself and Rep. Juan Carlos Losada were leading the stalled legislation, addressed the issues about minors and cannabis in a recent op-ed saying:
“regarding the protection of children, today our boys, girls and adolescents are at the mercy of illegality, since drug trafficking leads them to crime, violence and the consumption of altered drugs. Given this, the project proposes to regulate the carrying and consumption and prohibit advertising, consumption and marketing in school and higher education, health and public spaces, among others, seeking to establish control measures based on evidence to comprehensively protect children. and adolescence and prevent harm associated with consumption.”
However, the recent shelving of the legalization bill was not solely due to these concerns.
Opposition also used misinformation surrounding an unrelated executive decree decriminalizing small amounts of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy. This decree was unrelated to the proposed cannabis legalization bill, but opponents used it as a tactic to discredit and delay the legislation.
This recent setback in Colombia’s cannabis legalization efforts has caused the legislation to restart from scratch, delaying the process by at least two years. The bill had already gone through four out of eight debates and was approaching final approval before being shelved.
Response to the Shelving of Cannabis Legalization Bill
Representative Juan Carlos Losada and Senator María José Pizarro have been key figures in driving forward Colombia’s cannabis legalization efforts. They have expressed disappointment and frustration with the recent shelving of the bill, stating that it was a result of political manipulation and misinformation.
In a translated post on X Rep Juan Carlos Losada had this to say:
“The project that sought to regulate cannabis for adult use has just collapsed in the Senate plenary session. The misinformation generated by the repeal of Decree 1844 of 2018 a few days before this debate and the maneuvers orchestrated by certain congressmen, unfortunately among them some from my own party, led to the initiative being shelved.”
“We will continue fighting for a change in drug policy, convinced that it is the only way to end the war and to truly prevent problematic consumption and the impact on the most vulnerable populations. We will insist until misinformation and maneuvers are no longer the protagonists of this debate.”
Se acaba de hundir el proyecto que pretendía regular el cannabis de uso adulto en la plenaria del Senado. La desinformación generada por la derogatoria del Decreto 1844 de 2018 a pocos días de este debate y las maniobras orquestadas por ciertos congresistas, entre ellos… pic.twitter.com/fBxrP2L5l8
— Juan Carlos Losada (@JuanKarloslos) December 12, 2023
He also argued that the cannabis industry in Colombia will remain in the hands of drug traffickers as a result of the bill being shelved.
“The prohibitionist policy against drugs has plunged Colombia into a senseless war.
Do not regulate #LaMarihuanaEs continue with the status quo that will continue to leave the business in the hands of jíbaros and drug traffickers and that does nothing to protect children and adolescents.”
La política prohibicionista contra las drogas ha sumido a Colombia en una guerra sin sentido.
— Juan Carlos Losada (@JuanKarloslos) December 13, 2023
No regular #LaMarihuanaEs continuar en el status quo que seguirá dejando el negocio en manos de los jíbaros y los narcotraficantes y que en nada protege a los niños, niñas y… pic.twitter.com/c5AeiFNlce
President Gustavo Petro has also expressed his support for marijuana legalization in Colombia, echoing the sentiments of Rep. Juan Carlos Losada and Sen. María José Pizarro. In a translated tweet, he stated:
“By overturning the cannabis legalization law the only thing you do is increase the profits of drug trafficking and its violence.”
Con tumbar la ley de legalización del cannabis lo único que se hace es elevarle las ganancias al narcotráfico y su violencia.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) December 13, 2023
Despite the major setback in Colombia’s cannabis legalization efforts, there is still hope that the bill will eventually be passed. The delay may slow down progress, but it cannot extinguish the determination of those pushing for change.
The shelving of the bill serves as a reminder of how difficult and drawn-out this process can be, with political tactics and misinformation often getting in the way. However, it also highlights the bravery and perseverance of those who continue to fight for a more progressive drug policy in Colombia.
As cannabis legalization continues to gain support and momentum around the world, we can only hope that Colombia will join the growing list of countries embracing this change. It is time for outdated and harmful prohibition policies to be replaced with evidence-based regulations that prioritize public health and safety.
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