Written by Dra. Rocio Vargas Forero
Current Status of Medical Cannabis in Colombia
Colombia has been recognized for years as one of the pioneers in Latin America when it comes to regulating medical cannabis. The country passed Law 1787 in 2016, which created a framework for cultivation, research, and patient access. Later, Decree 811 of 2021 authorized the export of dried flower, placing Colombia on the map as a global supplier.
However, for patients living inside the country, access has been limited mostly to magistral preparations such as oils, capsules, and creams. These products are made in specialized laboratories and sold in pharmacies with a medical prescription. What patients have not been able to buy legally is cannabis flower itself. That may soon change.
What the Draft Decree Proposes
In late July 2025, the Ministry of Health revealed a draft decree that would authorize pharmacies, known in Spanish as droguerías, to sell cannabis flower as a finished product. This would not be for recreational use. The sale would require a prescription from a licensed Colombian physician, and the permitted route of administration would be inhalation, either smoked or vaporized.
The draft mentions conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis as potential indications. Oversight would involve the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Agriculture, along with regulatory agencies such as Invima and ICA to ensure quality, traceability, and safety.
The decree is currently in a stage of consultation and discussion, which means final rules are not yet in force. Experts anticipate that if the text is published, there will still be a period of additional regulation to define specific details like labeling, purchase limits, and pharmacist responsibilities.
Why Pharmacies Instead of Dispensaries
Unlike countries such as Canada or certain U.S. states, Colombia does not use the dispensary model. Instead, all controlled medicines must pass through pharmacies with professional oversight. This approach keeps cannabis in line with how other prescription medications are handled.
That means patients should not expect to see retail shops or tourist-oriented dispensaries. If the decree moves forward, they will see cannabis flower sold only in pharmacies, with pharmacists playing a role in counseling and monitoring safe use.
How This Would Affect Colombian Patients
For patients already in Colombia, the decree would represent a significant expansion of options. Until now, those who preferred or required inhalation therapy had no legal pathway to access flower inside the country. With pharmacy sales, they could continue treatment more effectively and under medical supervision.
Challenges remain, especially in dosing. Measuring consistent levels of THC in smoked or vaporized flower is more difficult than with standardized oils or capsules. Regulators have already flagged this as a point that will need clear guidelines and education for both doctors and patients.
What Visitors and Tourists Should Know
For foreigners traveling to Colombia, this potential change raises an obvious question: is weed legal in Colombia for medical use if you are a visitor? The answer is that medical cannabis is legal only under prescription. Current reporting does not clarify whether foreign prescriptions will be accepted. The safest assumption is that tourists will need to see a Colombian physician to obtain a local prescription before they can purchase from a pharmacy.
Travelers who depend on cannabis therapy should bring their medical records and be prepared to schedule a local consultation. They should also remember that public smoking is regulated in Colombia, and local governments may enforce restrictions in certain areas.
Timeline and Next Steps
Because the decree is still in draft form, no exact implementation date is confirmed. Some analysts estimate a window of several months after publication before flower sales could actually begin. The government will also need to issue follow-up regulations that address packaging, prescription renewals, and pharmacist duties.
Patients and visitors alike should watch for the official release of the decree, followed by the detailed circulars and resolutions from agencies like Invima and ICA. Only then will pharmacies be able to stock and dispense cannabis flower legally.
What Does Not Change
It is important to highlight that this development does not mean recreational cannabis will be legalized. The country’s framework remains focused strictly on medical and scientific use. Possession for adult use outside of prescription channels will still carry legal risks.
Benefits and Concerns
Supporters of the measure argue that expanding access to flower could improve patient care and reduce reliance on more harmful medications, while also strengthening Colombia’s role as a leader in cannabis research and production. Critics, however, warn of challenges in controlling dosage, preventing diversion, and ensuring that pharmacists receive adequate training. Both sides agree that regulation and education will be essential.
Final Thoughts
Colombia is moving closer to allowing patients to purchase cannabis flower in pharmacies, a shift that would make treatment more accessible while keeping medical oversight in place. For patients and tourists, the coming months will be decisive in defining exactly how access will work in practice.
If you are ready to begin or adjust your cannabis treatment in Colombia, booking an appointment is the simplest and safest step you can take. You can contact me, Dr. Rocio Vargas. I am a physician specialized in medical cannabis treatments; I will be happy to guide you with professional and personalized care. Schedule a consultation
