The Colombian Senate is moments away from a historic vote that could end the nation’s prohibition on cannabis. After a heated 8 hour debate on Monday, legislators are set to vote Tuesday afternoon on a proposal to create a regulated, recreational cannabis market in Colombia.
If the measure is approved, it would effectively end Colombia’s decades-long ban on cannabis, which is currently classified as a narcotic by the country’s constitution. Proponents of the proposal, which include some lawmakers and the Colombian Cannabis Association, argue that legalizing the drug will create jobs, bring money into the government coffers and reduce crime by taking the market away from drug traffickers.
Opponents of the proposal assert that it would open the door to increased substance abuse and lead to more societal harms than benefits. Under the measure, the production, distribution, sale and commercialization of cannabis would be regulated by the country’s health authority, which would grant licenses to eligible businesses.
This morning, over 30 legislators spoke for and against the initiative in the Senate. The measure must be approved by 54 votes to pass, a daunting task in a house governed by a majority of conservatives. If it fails, the initiative must be re-introduced during the next session and its long, complicated process starts all over again.
Regardless of today’s outcome, Colombia is taking a major step towards ending the prohibition of cannabis, which could open the door to further drug reform. The Senate’s decision will make it the first Latin American country to regulate the drug, and its approval could set a global precedent for other countries looking to end their own hard-line drug policies.