Colombia, a key battleground in the war on drugs, has authorized the sale of marijuana for medicinal use, according to a decree made public Tuesday from the Ministry of Health.
The Latin American country legalized medical cannabis in 2016 and authorized the export of its dried flower in 2021 to countries where it is regulated, but until now it could not be sold locally due to a legal loophole.
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Now, the Ministries of Health, Justice and Agriculture have five months “to issue the respective regulations” to facilitate the implementation of the decree.
It stipulates pharmacies and veterinary clinics will need to obtain a license to sell cannabis flowers, which contain the psychoactive component of THC, and consumers will need to present a medical prescription to buy it.
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The law around personal marijuana use in Colombia is permissive, and authorities there permit personal consumption, growing cannabis and possessing small amounts — but there is no regulated market for buying and selling it for recreational use.
Known as the world’s leading producer of cocaine, Colombia is also home to large marijuana plantations, and some pot-growing regions are currently experiencing conflict.
In March, leftist President Gustavo Petro urged Congress to consider the full legalization of marijuana, including for recreational use.
A vocal critic of the US-led war on drugs, Petro argues prohibition causes more violence.
But Colombia’s voluminous drug production has faced heavy criticism in the country’s current standoff with US President Donald Trump, who removed the South American country from the list of allied anti-drug nations, suspending it from financial support that came with the listing.
Other countries in the region have also legalized production of cannabis for medical use, including Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru.
With additional input by GVS US and Intl desk