Colombian House of Representatives Approves Cannabis Legalization Bill
Colombia's House of Representatives has approved a cannabis legalization bill, advancing it to the Senate for further debate and potential enactment
Key Points
- 1Colombian House passes cannabis legalization bill, moving to Senate
- 2Bill proposes shift from prohibition to public health-focused policy
- 3Requires approval in both chambers twice for constitutional amendment
- 4Aims to reduce discrimination and improve public education on cannabis
- 5President Petro advocates for economic and social benefits of legalization
The Colombian House of Representatives has made a significant move by approving a cannabis legalization bill, which now advances to the Senate for further consideration. This development marks a pivotal moment in Colombia's legislative journey towards cannabis reform, following a close vote last month. The bill, which passed with a 98 to 57 vote, represents the sixth of eight required debates before it can be enacted into law
The proposed legislation aims to shift Colombia's drug policy away from prohibition and towards a public health-centered approach. According to Juan Carlos Losada Vargas, the bill's author and a liberal party deputy, the initiative seeks to abandon the failed paradigm of prohibition and instead focus on health guidelines, consumption prevention, and citizen rights. The bill's approval by the House is a crucial step, but it still requires approval from a Senate committee and the full Senate before it can be signed into law
Last year, both the Colombian House and Senate passed different versions of cannabis legalization legislation, which were later aligned to create a unified bill in December. The Senate had overwhelmingly approved its version of the bill, and now the unified proposal must pass through the legislative process twice in each chamber over separate calendar years to become a constitutional amendment. This requirement ensures thorough consideration and debate on the issue
The bill not only supports the right to personal development by allowing regulated cannabis consumption but also aims to reduce discriminatory treatment of cannabis users. It includes provisions for public education campaigns and improved addiction treatment services. Justice Minister Néstor Osuna has criticized the past prohibitionist policies, labeling them as a failed war that brought violence and crime to Colombia, and he supports the shift towards legalization
President Gustavo Petro, who has been an advocate for ending drug criminalization, has highlighted the potential economic benefits of legalizing cannabis. He envisions a legal cannabis industry that could revitalize small towns in the Andes by allowing cultivation without licensing burdens. Petro has also suggested that legalization should coincide with the release of those imprisoned for cannabis possession, further emphasizing the social justice aspect of the reform