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La primera es sobre la producción de marihuana en Colombia. 

Why growing marijuana has not been as profitable in Latin America (and who dominates the business)


Luis Fajardo
Author's title,
BBC News World
February 23, 2023
Marijuana, the crop that in Latin America clandestinely fueled one of the most profitable industries in the world in the 20th century, has become a much less attractive business in the region as the activity enters legality in the 21st century.
Mexico, Colombia, and in later years, other countries in the Western Hemisphere such as Paraguay, were home to large illicit marijuana production industries as legendary for their violence as for their profits.
But in the new century, following the initial example of Uruguay, which legalized cultivation in 2013, several Latin American governments took the step towards beginning a gradual normalization of the sector.
Today, marijuana for medicinal purposes is legal in nations that include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The industry moves more than 170 million dollars annually in the region, according to estimates by the consultancy Euromonitor.

Colombia was, after Mexico, one of the largest clandestine producers of marijuana in the 20th century during a period dubbed in the South American country as the "marijuana bonanza" and which preceded the rise of the large cocaine cartels for which the country became sadly famous in later decades.
But the winds of legalization eventually reached Colombia. In 2016, then serving as deputy minister of justice, Miguel Samper saw Colombia become only the fifth country in the world to legalize and regulate marijuana for medicinal purposes.
However, after having been at the forefront, "Colombia has been relegated to the back wagon" of the industry's development, says the now union leader.
Colombia has 57,000 hectares authorized by the government for the legal cultivation of cannabis, more than any other country in Latin America. But, says Samper, of those only about 520 hectares, or about 1%, are actually under cultivation.
He also estimates that by 2022, nearly one in three of the 1,300 companies officially licensed to grow cannabis have effectively withdrawn from the business.
For Samper, one of the problems in the sector is that local production does not find a market in the pharmaceutical industry. The government has not authorized the industrial manufacture in Colombia of any medicine made from Colombian cannabis, he says.

Industry myths

Colombia is not the only case of frustrated expectations in the cannabis industry in the region.
In the first instance, he says, partial legalization has not meant that the imminent end of the criminal phenomenon surrounding illicit marijuana crops is approaching.
"The illicit cannabis market is still significantly larger than any legal one," says Henriquez. "Our estimate is that it will continue to grow."

In Latin America, per capita consumption of cannabis barely reaches 1 dollar a year, compared to 88 dollars in the United States, Erwin Henriquez, senior analyst at the consultancy Euromonitor, tells BBC Mundo.
In his conversation with BBC Mundo, he denies some false ideas that have been woven around this new industry.
Over time, he argues, the clandestine aspect could begin to disappear, and points out as an example that in Canada for the first time the legal industry has surpassed the size of illicit marijuana crops.
But he clarifies: "the legalization of cannabis is not an instant cure for the existence of the illicit market."
Others believed that legalizing marijuana would open up great export opportunities to the United States.
Again, Henriquez assures us, this is not necessarily the case.
"The United States is not a large cannabis export market for Latin America."
He adds that the legal industry in that country "has the capacity to serve its domestic market."
Instead, he says, export markets to the Middle East and Asia could be more attractive.
The recreational market, the great hope
The image that experts paint of this industry in Latin America so far is often one of expectations yet to be fulfilled.

But the same experts think that these frustrations may soon change.
"In the cannabis industry, Latin America is expected to be the fastest growing region in 5 years. In real terms, it will grow quite close to the pace seen in Western Europe," says Erwin Henriquez.
Many Latin American countries have natural competitive advantages for the product. Because of the absence of marked seasons, up to three harvests can be obtained per year. Land, labor, and electricity are generally cheaper than in other nations in Europe or North America.
Observers point out that much of the future development of the industry will depend on how the debate on the future regulation of the industry, and especially of recreational marijuana, develops in the parliaments of Latin American nations.
Mexico and Colombia, two of the largest potential markets, are discussing legislative projects that would legalize and regulate "adult use" of marijuana. Only two countries in the world have taken the full step of legalizing and regulating cannabis for recreational purposes: Canada and Uruguay.

Colombia is certainly one of the countries where there is expectation for the way in which this discussion develops, particularly with the arrival to power in 2022 of Gustavo Petro at the head of a new government, which unlike its predecessor, seems to look favorably on the decriminalization and regulation of recreational marijuana.
Samper told BBC Mundo that there is now "an air of optimism" in the Colombian marijuana industry, given the "political will expressed by Petro" to take "a new approach to drug policy."

The Colombian president has said he wants a less repressive approach to anti-drug actions, and says he seeks to protect small producers.
"Cannabis will be the perfect landing gear for the new drug policy that is contrary to the prohibitionist approach that has only left waves of violence and decades of suffering in the country," says Samper.

Multinationals have a strong presence

The union leader says that, despite the fact that Colombian legislation requires that all companies participating in the market have been legally incorporated in the country, until now several of the main ones have had the participation of foreign capital.

Petro referred to this situation just four days after beginning his mandate, when on August 11, 2022 he said in a speech: "Will it be the Canadian multinational that keeps the dollars and makes the cannabis plantations? Or, will it be the cannabis farmers (from the Colombian region) of Cauca? Why can't they?".
For Miguel Samper, the participation of multinationals in the medicinal cannabis market is the result of the high investments required to meet the extremely high quality standards of the global pharmaceutical industry.
The business spokesman says that, without neglecting public health, a potential recreational marijuana market would not have to have such high barriers to entry and therefore there would be more local farmers participating in the profits, especially if the government relaxes the current requirements for obtaining a license.
Samper estimates that each hectare of legal marijuana crops in production in Colombia generates 20 direct jobs and almost 18 indirect jobs.
If one takes into account that the South American country already has more than 56,000 hectares authorized, but not yet entered into cultivation, the potential for job growth due to cannabis would also be quite large.

The political debate continues

Despite what Petro proposes, the proposal to deepen the legalization of marijuana to cover recreational consumption has strong political opponents in Colombia and many other countries in the region.

Colombian senator and right-wing leader María Fernanda Cabal tweeted last November: "Progressives should understand that Colombia rejects the legalization of recreational cannabis, which has nothing to do with recreation, it only causes destruction to the person."
Cabal cited in her tweet a survey by the Colombian firm Invamer stating that 57% of her compatriots were opposed to the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes.
In Mexico, another of the great potential expansion markets, the final decision to legalize "adult use," already approved by the Chamber of Deputies, is in the hands of the Senate of that country.
On January 19, the president of the Mexican Senate's finance committee, Alejandro Armenta, stated that the discussion would be resumed this February.
The announcements regarding the liberalization of laws against marijuana in Latin America have generated more expectations than results in this last decade.
It remains to be seen whether now, with a deeper legalization, a new economic bonanza will come to the region.


The medical cannabis industry is flourishing in Colombia
The country is seeking to position itself at the forefront of the cultivation and production of the plant


The word Sogamoso comes from an indigenous word that means “home of the sun.” It is one of the two places in Colombia with the best solar radiation, a great advantage for playing in the new global cannabis market, the legal one. Being on the equator allows 12 hours of natural light all year round, to the delight of the crops. The Clever Leaves company has its plantation there, which wants to participate strongly in the global business of medicinal cannabis, which, together with recreational use, could reach 50 billion euros by 2025. Latin America does not want to miss the party.
In Colombia, robust legislation was approved in 2016 and operating costs are lower than in other places, which also benefits the development of the green market. In addition, the second largest exporter of flowers in the world – after the Netherlands – has also applied this knowledge to the emerging industry that dazzles the world. “We are all learning,” says Gustavo Escobar, co-founder and innovation director of Clever Leaves, humbly when he is introduced as the person who knows the most about medicinal cannabis in Colombia. He does so during a visit to his company’s plantation, a highly technical crop in the municipality of Pesca, in the mountains of the Sogamoso valley, in the department of Boyacá.

 
Experimenting with plant genetics allows the selection of those that work best for medical development.
CAMILO ROZO
With less than three years of existence, the company was the first authorized in the Andean country to send cannabis for scientific purposes to Canada, and together with the Uruguayan Fotmer Life Sciences they closed agreements to become the first Latin American companies to export to Europe, specifically to Germany. “These are exports still with a research scope, but they open the way for commercial development,” explains Escobar, a 37-year-old engineer with an MBA. A reflection of the giant steps with which the nascent business is advancing.
The legalization of the medicinal and scientific use of marijuana – and even recreational use – seems unstoppable. Canada has taken the lead. In 33 states of the United States, its medicinal use is legal and in ten of them, recreational use. In several countries of the European Union, therapeutic use has spread, and in Germany alone it is estimated that there are some 700,000 patients.
Uruguay legalized this market in 2013 and Colombia, hit by the stigma of drug trafficking, is seeking to be at the forefront. All those involved are careful to use language as aseptic as the facilities that are built throughout the country – they always talk about cannabis, not marijuana – and to repeat that it is medicine and science, the only authorized uses. The macroeconomic potential is enormous. According to some projections, in a few years it could equal the combined exports of flowers and bananas to Colombia.


 

Workers strip the leaves off the plants until only the flower is left.
CAMILO ROZO
This country can legally plant more than 40 tons, according to the quotas set by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). “The quotas are not the true production capacity, it is an expectation,” says Andrés López Velasco, until last month director of the National Narcotics Fund. “Here the medical community has been very receptive, that has been a huge difference,” he says, highlighting other promising signs.
In compliance with the regulation, the perimeter of the Clever Leaves crop in Sogamoso has a triple barrier: barbed wire, electric fence and infrared sensors, as well as a video surveillance system with 154 cameras. The traceability of each plant ensures that none can stray. The greenhouses use 90% of natural water with a sophisticated Israeli irrigation system. Less than a year and a half ago, the land was nothing more than a pasture. Today the projections are constantly updated. The 10 hectares in production will be 15 in July and 25 by the end of the year. In the final steps, workers strip the leaves from the plants until only the flower is left, which concentrates their active ingredients, the cannabinoids. There are more than a hundred of them, with properties still unexplored, but the main ones are THC (psychoactive) and CBD.

 
The cannabis flower concentrates its active ingredients, the cannabinoids.
CAMILO ROZO
The extraction laboratory, with pharmaceutical grade, was set up in an industrial park halfway between Sogamoso and Bogotá. About 3,000 liters of cannabis oil can be produced annually from there. The chain combines talent and knowledge recruited from the agroindustry and pharmaceutical sector, as well as personnel familiar with the mystique of cannabis, including the so-called master growers, experts in crop cycles. It also attracts foreigners, such as the Spanish María Corujo. This 33-year-old doctor in plant biotechnology is in charge of researching the genetics of plants to select those that work best for medical development. “It is a challenge, because there is a lot of ignorance, but it is motivating,” she explains. “It is a new industry in Colombia, but also in the world.”
Clever Leaves, which started with five employees and now has close to 400, was one of the first companies to obtain licenses, in 2016. But it is not the only swallow that announces the cannabis summer in a country better known in the world for its excellent coffee. The companies are usually alliances of Colombian and foreign capital, with strong Canadian participation, explains Rodrigo Arcila, president of the Colombian Association of Cannabis Industries (Asocolcanna), which in less than two years has gone from six to 30 members. “We cannot lose the historic opportunity that is presented to Colombia to be a leader in this,” he says.

 

In laboratories, derivatives of the plant, such as cannabis oil, are extracted.
CAMILO ROZO
“It will be the great exporter of Latin America as long as Mexico does not legalize it,” recently predicted former Mexican president Vicente Fox, a member of the board of directors of Khiron, another of the important companies. The Government has already authorized licenses in 11 of the 32 departments, according to information from ProColombia, which highlights the investments of the Canadian companies Cannavida and Pharmacielo – which is listed, like Khiron, on the Toronto stock exchange. The public body responsible for promoting trade and tourism abroad also points to Canada, Germany, Australia and Mexico as great “opportunities” for exports. No one wants to be left out of the green gold rush.


The difficult debate on drugs

Colombia has suffered the ravages of drug trafficking like no other country, which is why drugs provoke heated debates. The cannabis boom that is emerging has its origin in a regulation approved during the government of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018). The strict regulation contemplates medicinal and scientific uses through licenses issued by the Ministries of Health and Justice. The former president has assumed on several occasions that the so-called war on drugs failed and in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize he advocated rethinking the global strategy based on evidence.
The conservative Iván Duque, who came to power in August, has returned to a prohibitionist approach, which puts emphasis on both the forced eradication of coca crops and the penalization of consumption. However, he has also championed all kinds of ventures and has shown himself close to unions and businessmen. Last month, a block of a dozen congressmen from different parties announced that they will work on the construction of a new drug policy, which includes regulating the recreational use of marijuana in Colombia. The medicinal cannabis industry is advancing oblivious to ideological turbulence. "Legislators will be the ones to tell us if we will take that step," says Rodrigo Arcila, president of the Colombian Association of Cannabis Industries (Asocolcanna).


Cannabis Growing Timeline
A summary of the 5 stages of cannabis growing.
Growing marijuana comes with a number of uncertainties. That being said, the cannabis growing cycle can be divided into 5 different stages, regardless of the type of seeds you have chosen.

Preparation

Before sowing your seeds, you need to think about what type of growing you are going to do. Are you growing indoors or outdoors? Do you have the right material for your growing environment? Have you selected seeds from strains that will grow well in the environment you are going to grow them in, whether indoors or outdoors? Regarding this last question, every aspiring grower should know the difference between photoperiod and autoflowering cannabis plants. There are some key differences that need to be taken into account.

Photoperiod Plants

The main indicator of a photoperiod plant, also called a photoperiod plant, is that it can stay in vegetative growth indefinitely – as long as you keep the plants on a light/dark cycle of 18/6 or 24/0. We’ll talk about this later, but it means that these plants can tolerate more mistakes during the growing process. It also means that you can ensure that your plants produce the best possible harvest once you trigger flowering. And all you have to do to initiate flowering is set the light/dark cycle to 12/12. This is even more useful when you are able to take cuttings from your best plants unlimitedly. The main disadvantage is that it will take a little longer to be ready for harvest compared to autoflowering plants. However, when harvest comes, the plants will be more productive and generally more potent.

Autoflowering Plants
The difference between these plants and photoperiod plants is clear in their names. Autoflowering plants will automatically start flowering at a certain time, dictated by the strain's genetics. On the one hand, these plants are easier for novice growers, as they don't require any changes to the light cycle. But on the other hand, having a shorter vegetative phase means there's less room for error. This isn't ideal for beginners, but the fact that it only takes two and a half months from germination to harvest is certainly a pretty appealing aspect. Autoflowers tend to produce smaller, less potent yields than their photoperiod counterparts, but advances in marijuana breeding are closing the gap these days.
The 5 Stages of Growing Cannabis
Now that you know the difference between photoperiod and autoflowering strains, let's look at each of the stages of cannabis cultivation.
Stage 1: Germination (1-7 days)

Even if your plant is just a seed, your effort and dedication will determine the success or failure of the crop. Germination is the stage when the first root sprouts from the seed shell and usually takes between 1 and 7 days. A classic method for germinating seeds is the paper towel technique, but this has the disadvantage of leaving small paper fibres on the new root. Obviously, you can also sow the seeds directly into the soil, but you must ensure that the humidity and temperature are optimal.
If you want to germinate your seeds cleanly and safely, we recommend the Royal Queen Seeds Starter Kit. When the seedlings are 2-3cm tall, you can remove them from the propagator and transplant them into a suitable pot.
Stage 2: Seedling (2 weeks)
After germination, the plants enter the seedling phase. At this stage, they will need about 18 hours of light per day, or more. But with proper care, after about two weeks they will start to develop more robust growth.
At first there will be one serrated leaflet per leaf, but by the end of this time the leaves will be approaching their typical 5- to 7-finger shape. However, until the plants develop their true leaves, these specimens are considered seedlings. Another indicator of plant health, besides the increase in leaflet count, is the bright green color. To maintain the health of seedlings there are two main factors to consider: watering and hygiene. Seedlings are fragile, so they only require light watering. Hygiene is also essential, given the vulnerability of seedlings to developing mold and disease. The optimal environment for marijuana seedlings is a propagator, ideally with RH of 70% and a temperature between 20 and 25°C, under white LED or CFL lights.
Stage 3: Vegetative Phase — 2 weeks to infinity
Vegetative growth is usually associated with transplanting the germinated seed at some point, when the plants grow to the point where they outgrow the initial medium they germinated in, for example a rockwool block or a paper cup filled with soil or coco. The main priorities during this stage will be continued development of the root zone and robust branching. The optimal environment for vegetative growth is around 50-75% humidity and a temperature range of 20C° to 28°C, either under LED or metal halide (MH) lighting.
Autoflowering plant growers have even less time to play with than those who plant seeds using photoperiod, as most autos will go into flowering after just 2-3 weeks of vegetative growth. And for this reason many autoflowering growers sow their seeds directly into the final pot. Time is of the essence from the moment autos germinate.
Photoperiod strains can be kept in vegetative growth indefinitely as long as they exceed 18 hours of daily light and maintain the right conditions. This allows indoor growers to keep their mother plants for years and is why outdoor growers plant in the spring. Also, both indoors and outdoors, exposing them to 18 hours of light makes it easier to take cuttings.
This is the ideal stage to place photoperiod plants into their final containers, at least a couple of weeks before the plant starts to flower or before summer starts if it is outdoors.
Although photoperiod strains can be kept in the vegetative phase for weeks or months to allow for all sorts of techniques to maximize their yields, such as topping, FIM, LST, or even ScrOG, the autoflowering grower is very limited by time.
Stage 4: Flowering (6-12 weeks)
At this stage, the focus of the grower and the plants themselves is bud production, with the grower already dreaming of a harvest of glowing weed in the near future. Relative humidity should be lowered to 40-50% and temperatures should be between 18-26ºC.
Cannabis plants will begin to give off indications of their sex in the early part of flowering. Generally, in the first two weeks of this stage, females will develop pistils or "hairs" to confirm their femininity.
If you see "clusters" or anything similarly shaped forming on the flowers or anywhere on the stem, then you have a male cannabis plant. If you see both hairs and clusters, you have a hermaphrodite and should be removed immediately.
With photoperiod strains, flowering is forced by the number of hours of light they receive, indoors the grower switches to a 12-12 light-dark cycle to artificially encourage flower development.
Outdoors, Mother Nature dictates the grower's schedule and flowering will not begin until late summer or early fall as daylight hours decrease, so the transition to the flowering phase is more gradual. Growers in the northern hemisphere know full well that October is harvest time.
Of course, thanks to their ruderalis parentage, autoflowering strains don't play by the rules, so they'll start flowering about a month after germination. Autos prefer to stay on an 18-hour cycle during flowering and will be most productive in light cycles that would never allow photoperiod strains to start flowering.
Flowering typically lasts between 7-10 weeks for indica or hybrid photoperiod marijuana strains, while more sativa-dominant strains can take 10-14 weeks to mature and give you top-notch material.
In reality, autoflowering strains only flower for 35-55 days, with a much more sudden transition to flowering. Feminized autoflowering strains are a wise choice for newbies who don't want seed-bearing weed.
It's always best to decide if a marijuana plant is ready for harvest by taking a closer look at those resin-laden buds. Using a simple magnifying glass, you can get a close look at the trichomes to make sure they are whitish and amber and not clear, thus avoiding making blind decisions.
Once you confirm that you have a mature marijuana crop on your hands, it's time to grab your pruning shears and start harvesting. After two weeks of slow drying, hanging the buds or placing them in paper bags at room temperature and relative humidity of about 50%, you will have your new supplies.

Stage 5: Harvest and curing (1-2 months)
Harvest
For most growers, harvesting is the most rewarding part of the growing process. Watching your plants grow over several months is fascinating, but being able to reap the fruits of your labor is the best part of the experience. The flowering phase of the growing cycle usually lasts between 7 and 11 weeks, and once it's over, it's time to harvest the buds. If you harvest too early, the flowers won't fully mature. And it's not good to pick them too late either. Timing your harvest is a crucial step, and there are several signs that will tell you when the time is right.
One of the best ways to tell if your flowers are actually ready to harvest is to look closely at them with a magnifying glass. This visual advantage will allow you to detect small changes that would otherwise go unnoticed with the naked eye. Some growers use a jeweler's loupe, which is basically a pocket magnifying glass covered in a piece of metal. Others choose to use devices, such as a digital microscope, that offer greater detail.
The magnifying glass is important for detecting the progress of the trichomes and, therefore, the right time to harvest your buds. Trichomes are small, mushroom-shaped glands that produce the resin that contains the vast majority of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Watching the changes in trichomes is the most accurate way to determine the maturity of your crop. Trichomes are easily spotted; they are the white, frosty substance that covers the buds and sugar leaves. By zooming in on these structures, you can tell how mature your plants are and decide if they are ready to be harvested.
In the earlier stages of the flowering phase, trichomes have a clear appearance, which means they are still developing and should be allowed to mature. When about 60% of the trichomes have a milky appearance, the buds are ready to harvest. This is when they produce the most significant high. But some growers wait until 90% of the trichomes turn from milky to amber, as this will give the buds a more sedative and relaxing effect on the body.
Another sign that buds are maturing is the change in color of the pistils of the flowers. Pistils are hair-like structures that grow out of the calyxes and are the reproductive organ of female marijuana plants. This is where pollination occurs - if male pollen is allowed to land on the pistils. In the early stages of flowering, the pistils are white; as the flowers mature, they change to an orange-brown color.
Aside from looking at the buds, another way to tell if your plants are nearing harvest time is by looking at the color of the leaves. As long as you haven't over-fertilized your plants during the late stages of flowering, yellowing of the leaves tells you that the plant is nearing peak maturity and the buds are taking full advantage of the nutrients. Flushing the roots with pH-neutral water a couple of weeks before harvest to remove the buildup of nutrient salts will help make any plant a smoother, more enjoyable smoke. Now that you know when to start harvesting your buds, it's time to learn how to manicure them.


 

Green Manicure
Manicuring marijuana plants can be done in two ways: green or dry. Both methods have their advantages, and some growers prefer one and others the other. Green manicuring means removing the sugar leaves surrounding the buds immediately after harvest, when the plant still has a high water content and is “fresh.” This method is the most common and perhaps the easiest, as it doesn’t require a large space to dry the plants first. But green manicuring is literally sticky work. Your hands and scissors will be covered in resin from the flowers, but this has its upside. By occasionally scraping the resin off the scissors, you’ll quickly build up some “scissor hash,” which will allow you to get a first taste of your harvest.
Dry Manicure
Dry manicuring is done when the plants are already dry, and the buds and leaves contain little water. Manicuring dry buds won’t leave as much resin stuck to your scissors. However, precisely manicuring dried buds can be a bit cumbersome, resulting in a less visually appealing end product. Additionally, this method requires a bit more space; growers often hang whole branches of buds from a string in temperature-controlled rooms, to let them air out until they are sufficiently dry.

 
Curing Your Buds
After harvesting and trimming is complete, it's time to cure your flowers. Curing is an essential process that removes residual water from the buds, minimising the risk of mould formation and greatly extending shelf life. Curing also improves the flavour and quality of the smoke, offering a smoother and more potent experience.
If you've opted for dry trimming, your flowers will be ready to cure immediately after trimming. But if you've chosen green trimming, you'll need to dry your flowers thoroughly before curing them.
To do this, spread your buds out on cardboard, newspaper or, even better, a drying rack. Whatever you choose, make sure you spread them out over a wide surface so they're exposed to as much fresh air as possible. Aim for a stable room temperature of 21°C and relative humidity of 50% to ensure a gentler, albeit slower, drying and retain as much flavour as possible.
Now, on to curing. For this process, you'll need airtight mason jars to minimize mold growth. Fill each jar ? full, leaving plenty of room for air. This is the perfect environment for the breakdown of excess sugars and chlorophyll, a process essential for smoother hits.
For the first two weeks of curing, open the jars once or twice a day and inspect each bud for signs of spider-web-like mold. If you find mold, throw away the affected buds. Opening the jars often also serves to refresh and keep the air in the jars fresh.
After a few weeks, you won't need to constantly check on your buds anymore; the drier they are, the less likely they are to grow mold. At this point, you'll only need to inspect them twice a week or so to expose the buds to fresh air. After a few weeks, your buds will be cured—you'll need to wait until the buds are dry. However, some growers prefer to cure the buds for a few more weeks, so that they develop a flawless, high-quality flavour. You can try the buds as the weeks go by to see if the current flavour suits your taste.


Why is marijuana potent in Colombia?
According to IA


Colombian marijuana's reputation as one of the best and most potent is due to a combination of geographical, climatic, genetic and historical factors. Colombia has ideal natural conditions for cannabis cultivation: nutrient-rich soils, variable altitudes, tropical temperatures and high sun exposure throughout the year, especially in regions such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. These conditions favor the development of robust plants and strains with high levels of cannabinoids, particularly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for psychoactive effects.

In addition, the country's biodiversity has allowed the evolution and adaptation of indigenous strains that are highly appreciated for their potency and unique effects. Colombian varieties, such as the famous "Punto Rojo" and "Santa Marta Gold", have been recognized worldwide for their organoleptic properties and characteristics, such as their distinctive aroma and flavor.

Historically, for decades, Colombia was one of the main exporters of marijuana on the illegal market, leading growers to refine their cultivation techniques and improve product quality. Through selective practices and experimentation, farmers managed to develop highly desirable genetics.

Recent studies have analyzed the content of THC and other cannabinoids in Colombian strains, confirming their high potency compared to varieties from other countries. Additionally, the partial legalization and regulation of medicinal cannabis in Colombia in recent years has further boosted professional and controlled cultivation, generating higher quality products.




CBD SEGÚN IA

CBD Availability and Medical Marijuana Use in Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Argentina

The legal landscape and accessibility of CBD and medical marijuana products vary significantly by country, affecting both residents and tourists. Below is a breakdown of the situation in each of these countries, including legal aspects, access for tourists, and cost comparisons with the United States.

---

Mexico

Medical Marijuana: Marijuana for medicinal use was legalized in 2017. Currently, it can only be purchased under a medical prescription to treat certain conditions such as chronic pain and epilepsy. Cultivation for personal use is permitted with certain restrictions, and in 2021 the Supreme Court decriminalized recreational use, although full regulation is still under development.

CBD: CBD is legal if it contains less than 1% THC. Since 2021, pharmacies and specialty stores offer CBD products for therapeutic and cosmetic use.

Tourists: Tourists can purchase CBD products that comply with regulations (less than 1% THC), as no prescription is required for these products.

Cost: CBD products in Mexico range from $30-$80 USD for 30 ml bottles, depending on the brand and concentration. Compared to the US, prices in Mexico tend to be cheaper, with products of similar quality.

Important Considerations in Mexico: Although the sale of CBD is well regulated, the purchase of medical marijuana requires a formal prescription, and there remains a legal loophole for recreational products. Tourists should be aware of local regulations, which are still being adjusted.

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Brazil

Medical Marijuana: Brazil has allowed the use of medical marijuana since 2015, but only in imported products with a prescription approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Cultivation and recreational use are not permitted.

CBD: Since 2017, CBD is legal under strict medical prescription. All products must be imported and require approval from ANVISA. In some cases, patients can access domestic products, but most are imported.

Tourists: Tourists cannot purchase CBD products without an ANVISA-approved prescription. Without this prescription, it is not possible to purchase products within the country.

Cost: Because CBD products in Brazil are primarily imported, prices are significantly higher. Costs can vary between $100 and $200 USD for 30 ml bottles, depending on the origin of the product and import fees.

Important Considerations in Brazil: Legislation is strict, so tourists and residents can only access CBD products if they have an approved medical prescription. The approval process to obtain these products is more complicated compared to other countries.

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Costa Rica

Medical Marijuana: In March 2022, Costa Rica passed the law legalizing the medicinal use of cannabis. However, the regulation is still in the process of being developed, meaning it is not yet fully implemented in practice. Self-cultivation is not permitted, and there is no full clarity on the commercial sale of medical marijuana products.


CBD: The status of CBD in Costa Rica is not clearly defined, but its sale is tolerated in specialized stores that offer products with low THC content. Many products are available without a prescription.

Tourists: Tourists can purchase CBD products in specialized stores without major problems, as long as these products contain low levels of THC (generally less than 0.3%).

Cost: The price of CBD products in Costa Rica is similar to that in Mexico, varying between $30 and $80 USD for 30 ml bottles, depending on quality and concentration.

Important considerations in Costa Rica: Since legislation is still in development, it is important for tourists and locals to check the current situation before purchasing medical marijuana products. CBD is more accessible, but its status remains ambiguous.

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Colombia

Medical marijuana: Legal since 2016, Colombia has developed one of the most advanced legislation regarding the use of medicinal cannabis in Latin America. Patients can obtain medical marijuana products under prescription for various conditions, and self-cultivation is permitted under certain regulations.

CBD: CBD is legal and sold for both medicinal and cosmetic use, as long as the products contain less than 1% THC. There is a growing supply of CBD products in pharmacies and specialty stores.

Tourists: Tourists can purchase CBD products as long as these products are legal and comply with local regulations (less than 1% THC). A prescription is not required for general-use products.

Cost: The price of CBD in Colombia ranges from $40 to $70 USD for 30 ml bottles, which is relatively affordable compared to prices in the US.

Important Considerations in Colombia: Colombia has established a robust legal framework for medical marijuana and CBD. For tourists, access to CBD is straightforward, but the use of medical marijuana requires a formal prescription.

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Argentina

Medical marijuana: Legal since 2017, Argentina allows the use of medical marijuana under medical prescription. In 2020, self-cultivation was legalized for medical patients and their caregivers, marking a milestone in the regulation of cannabis in the country.

CBD: The use of CBD is legal for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. CBD products are available in pharmacies and specialty stores without the need for a prescription.

Tourists: Tourists can purchase CBD products without major restrictions, as long as they comply with local regulations.

Cost: CBD products in Argentina cost between $50 and $100 USD, depending on the concentration and type of product, a price that is within the mid-range compared to other countries in the region and the US.

Important considerations in Argentina: Although medical marijuana is legal and self-cultivation is allowed, access to commercial products is still limited by the slow development of the market. However, CBD is widely accessible to both locals and tourists.

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Cost comparison with the United States

In the US, the cost of CBD products typically ranges from $40 to $150 USD for 30 ml bottles, depending on the concentration, quality, and place of purchase. In comparison, Mexico and Colombia offer more affordable prices, while Brazil has the highest prices due to importing. Costa Rica and Argentina have intermediate costs, with products often cheaper than those available in the US.

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Key Takeaways

1. Changing Regulations: Laws regarding the use of medical marijuana and CBD are evolving in these countries. It is essential for tourists and locals to check current regulations before purchasing or using these products.

2. Accessibility for Tourists: In most countries, tourists can purchase CBD products without major restrictions, except in Brazil, where a prescription is required.

3. Quality and Prices: Although CBD products are more accessible in some countries, quality can vary. It is advisable to purchase products from certified establishments to ensure the safety and effectiveness of CBD.

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