Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia26 Aug 2025

581: Cultivating Justice? How cannabis regulation might transform Colombia

This week, Emily Hart speaks to Lucas Marin Llanes - the director of development at the Latin American Drug Studies Network, and a research affiliate at the Andes University's Center for Security and Drugs Studies (CESED).

There are already some allowances for personal and medicinal use, but last month, Lucas and CESED proposed a whole new framework for legalised commercialisation.

The first question is of course, why do it? Lucas proposes that regulation (done right) might be a way to take power from Colombia's armed groups, and to ensure decent working conditions for rural farmers; it could also ensure the quality and content of the cannabis people are consuming – as well as contributing to a realistic public health policy on the issue.

But is it too soon for Colombia – are the security guarantees in place to avoid retaliation against those who want to join legal markets? Is the market built to ensure social justice outcomes - and inclusion for those who have long been a part of the chain of production? And - crucially - is there the political consensus to drive the policy through?

And, somewhat paradoxically, is it too late? Has President Gustavo Petro's government – despite radical work at international bodies – fumbled the project, leaving no time in the remaining year of his mandate to make real change in the country?

So how might it be done? And what are the stakes? We'll be getting into all of it in today's episode.

And since Emily Hart is hosting the podcast again – the Colombia Briefing will be subscriber only this week – if you want to make sure you never miss an update, you can head to harte.substack.com and sign up to get the news as text and audio every Monday.

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