Cannabis Consumption in Colombia
Colombian producers urge 'urgent' regulation for adult use, which they believe will benefit public health and reduce the violence stemming from the illicit market
By Sechat Editorial Team
The bill allowing for the recreational use of cannabis in Colombia was approved last week in the third debate of the Senate's Third Committee, by 12 votes in favor and four against.
There are still four debates left in Congress. 'Nevertheless, we hope that the future discussions regarding cannabis that the country is embarking on will bring more and better evidence of public health,'' stated the Colombian Association of the Cannabis Industry (Asocolcanna) to the Colombian government.
An adult consumption market already exists
According to the latest study on drug consumption in the country, conducted by the Ministry of Justice's Observatory, by 2019, over 84% of people over 12 years old had consumed alcohol, 10.3% had consumed some illicit drug, and in the specific case of marijuana, 8.3% of people had already tried it.
The numbers show that drug consumption, both legal and illegal, impacts people's health; however, the data alone is not enough to address the issue, a fact known by Congress and President Petro. Constitutionally decriminalizing the recreational use of cannabis in adults in the country will not make the problem disappear from society; it is just the beginning of a different approach.
The Colombian Ministry of Health may adjust the policy on substance abuse and mental health, as well as strengthen community strategies to educate the Colombian population on responsible recreational use.