Committee in Colombia Approved Adult-Use Legalization Proposal

Colombian MP, Liberal MP Carlos Ardila, has proposed a cannabis bill passed by the House of Commons’ first committee. October 4“With 31 votes in favor and 2 against, @CamaraColombia’s #FirstCommission approved legislation in its first debate to regulate cannabis and guarantee tax revenue for municipalities, districts and departments. #OpportunityForTheRegions #RegulateNow” , Ardila wrote on twitter.

“This bill establishes regulations and taxes on the sale of legal cannabis and sets up a support system for revenue sharing among local cities as well as health, education and agriculture. If so, it would amend Article 49 of the Constitution, which should be pretty much the first step when it comes to cannabis, as the political ban rests there.” RCN radio.

Article 49 gives every citizen the right to health care, and it is the government’s responsibility to organize it. “Public health and environmental protection are public services for which countries are responsible. All individuals are guaranteed access to services that promote, protect and restore health.” constitutional stateHowever, it also adds that “the possession and consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances, except for medical prescriptions, is prohibited.”

according to Ardila.

With regard to the three pillars of aid, health, education and agriculture, Aldila will see the Cannabis Tax Fund help the public. “Here, we propose that the Ministry of Finance or the government collect these resources and transfer or transfer them to local governments so that they can address the negative effects of cannabis,” Ardila said.

After being approved by the First Committee of the House of Representatives, it is sent to the plenary session of the House of Representatives.

Senator Losada also recently proposed a cannabis bill in Julywants to amend Articles 49, 287 and 317 of the Colombian Constitution to allow the legalization of cannabis for adult use.

In Colombia, Gustavo Petro, the country’s first leftist president, took office in August. In his inaugural address, he criticized the failure of the war on drugs and called for new strategies to target illegal drug trafficking.In September, he called on Latin America to end the conflict. As president of one of the most beautiful nations on earth, and one of the bloodiest and most violent, I propose to end the war on drugs and allow our people to live in peace.” Peter said in his speech.

“The war on drugs has been going on for 40 years. If we don’t turn it around, another 40 years of it will result in 2.8 million overdose deaths in the United States, which will not happen in Latin America.” . petro said“We will see millions of African Americans incarcerated in private prisons. Prisoners will be the prison company’s business.”

In July 2021, former President Ivan Duque signed a bill legalizing the export of medical cannabis in Colombia. “Colombia is starting to play a big role and this decree puts it at the forefront in terms of regulatory competitiveness, at least in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Duque said. “We’re opening up the space to do more with cosmetics, food, beverages and even textiles.” Flower exports were still prohibited.

Meanwhile, the hemp industry continues to thrive. Former NBA Detroit Pistons player Isaiah Thomas, who owns a hemp company called One World Products (based in Las Vegas, Nevada but with operations in Columbia), recently raised $10 million in funding. “We are delighted that our new institutional investors have clearly appreciated the vision and tremendous growth potential we see in OWP.” thomas said“Their second equity investment will provide additional capital that will be used to continue to expand their operations in Colombia, strengthen industrial sales of hemp products to customers, and expand their carbon credit program.” To do.”