The Colombian government gave the green light that approved plans to legalize the cultivation and sale of cannabis for medicinal purposes this past Thursday.
However the bill has not yet been signed into law, Colombia’s Justice Minister Yesid Reyes announced Congress’ approval of the bill in an interview while on a local radio station Caracol Radio.
The first initial draft of the document has been signed by the ministries of health, justice and agriculture and now all it needs is the final approval of President Juan Manuel Santos.
Reyes gave confirmation that the government decree will apply to medical and scientific uses of cannabis only.
The move comes on the heels of another bill passed by Congress this past month to approve the sale of all medical products that contain some form of cannabis, coca or poppy as its base.
Legalizing cannabis for various reasons has long been debated in Congress. Other proposals currently on the table are the legalization of the drug for therapeutic treatments, as well as full legalization.
The current bill hit a bit of holdup Friday when it was revealed that future governments could reverse the decision to partially legalize marijuana.
Yet, the Colombian Ministry of Health affirmed that it is taking the proper steps to guarantee that the bill will “stay alive” through future governments.
The new bill came as a surprise to Columbia which has long been identified as the epicenter of the U.S.-backed war on drugs, which has turned into a violent battle between drug traffickers and increasingly militarized police forces in an effort to control the drug trade.
Some observers say that Congress’ decision this week points to the potential changing attitudes toward marijuana use and drug legalization.
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