Adult-Use

Flora Growth meets Colombian senator as recreational bill introduced

President-Elect Gustavo Petro has introduced a bill to legalise recreational cannabis in Colombia.

Flora Growth meets Colombian senator as recreational bill introduced
Home / Flora Growth meets Colombian senator as recreational bill introduced

Global cannabis manufacturer and distributor, Flora Growth has met with the author of a new bill to legalise recreational cannabis on the day the legislation was introduced to Congress.

Flora’s Chairman and CEO Luis Merchan met with Colombian Senator Gustavo Bolivar prior to the bill’s introduction to Congress on July 20. 

Bolivar, the key author of the bill, and Merchan discussed the top tenants of the bill, the bill’s implications for companies such as Flora in Colombia and what legalisation means for the country’s burgeoning domestic and international cannabis markets. 

Read more: Colombia votes in pro-cannabis president Gustavo Petro

Colombia recently voted in pro-cannabis president, Gustavo Petro, who has expressed his desire for the country to become a leader in the legal cannabis industry. 

Cannabis for personal use is currently decriminalised in Colombia while medical cannabis was legalised in 2015. The proposed cannabis legalisation bill will allow full recreational cannabis legalisation in Colombia, building on resolutions and regulations that are important for the safe development and access of the legal cannabis industry, including oversight by INVIMA.

Read more: Flora Growth steps up international growth strategy with opening of offices in London

Flora Growth CEO, Luis Merchan commented: “We are honoured to work closely with Sen. Bolivar and other key policymakers to support legislation that will provide safe access to cannabinoid-based products both domestically and in international markets.

“We are committed to creating effective, high-quality products. And with the expectation of the passing of this new bill to legalise recreational cannabis, we seek to support further the communities in which we operate.”

Highlights of the discussion include:

  • Highlights a flourishing cannabis industry in Colombia, including both domestic trade and international exports
  • The future of cannabis regulations, including the potential of a new government entity solely focused on cannabis regulation
  • Cannabis pharmaceuticals and the need for government regulations and approvals
  • Colombia as an upcoming global leader in the legal export of cannabis and its derivatives

Watch the video of the discussion:

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Topicscannabis industrycannabis policyinternationalrecreational cannabis

Stephanie Price

Stephanie is a journalist for Business of Cannabis, writing about science, research, policy and industry developments in cannabis, CBD and psychedelics. In 2013 Stephanie gained her BA in English and Media, focusing on journalism and propaganda, where her magazine 'Game Theory' focused on developments and disruptors over the coming decade including cannabis, psychedelics, blockchain/crypto and free speech. In 2015 Stephanie received her National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) diploma whilst working as a reporter in North Wales. Stephanie has a specialism in Medical Cannabis: The Health Effects of THC and CBD through the University of Colorado, and a certificate from the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society on "Medical Cannabis Explained".

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