You might be surprised to learn that Latin America has been passing some progressive cannabis reform recently. Many countries have decriminalized the personal use and possession of cannabis and other drugs as a means to treat drug abuse as a public health issue instead of a criminal one. That’s a significantly more progressive stance than the U.S. federal government has on cannabis.

The U.S. and many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and Colombia, have a long history of drug traffickers, cartel violence, and a military/paramilitary-fueled War on Drugs. But, in recent years, many Latin American nations have realized these Drug War tactics don’t work; it’s been decades, and they’ve gotten nowhere in the fight. This has led many to consider the decriminalization of certain drugs for personal use in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, and most famously, Uruguay. Many activists believe that full legalization will hurt drug cartels even more than the War on Drugs could and will severely cut down cartel-fueled violence.

In addition, all of these countries have passed medical cannabis laws to varying degrees. Some of the more liberal countries are gearing up to join the global cannabis market, like Colombia. Some of the more conservative governments only allow the importation of CBD oil, and only government-owned and pharmaceutical-owned facilities to grow cannabis, such as Mexico, Peru, and Paraguay. Despite opposition, the laws are progressing quickly with the help of activists and medical cannabis patients in those countries, especially those with young children who have intractable forms of epilepsy.

Uruguay’s complete adult-use legalization has served as a great example for what’s possible in Latin America. So far in Uruguay, drug trafficking has fallen 18 percent.

This is why Rosin Tech supports the efforts of cannabis communities throughout Latin America. As an industry leader in providing solventless products internationally, they’ve built strong relationships with Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay.

Let’s look at some Latin American countries leading the way on cannabis reform:

Colombia

1. Decrimalized personal use possession: 20 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 20 plants
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Mexico

1. Decrimalized personal use possession: 5 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 0
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes, but CBD-only with less than 1% THC
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on March 30th, 2018. A lot may have changed in Mexico since this article was published.

Chile

1. Decrimalized personal use possession: 10 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 6 plants
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Peru

1. Decrimalized personal use possession: 8 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 0
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Paraguay

1. Decrimalized personal use possession: 10 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 0
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Argentina

1. Decrimalized person use possession: 5 grams
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 0
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: No

Uruguay

1. Decrimalized person use possession: 10 grams per week/40 grams per month for registered users
2. Number of plants allowed in private homes: 6
3. Medical Cannabis: Yes
4. Adult-Use Cannabis: Yes

These seven nations are setting the decriminalization example throughout Latin America and around the world. As their laws become more progressive, more advanced cultivation and extraction processes are also growing. With the help of products from companies like Rosin Tech, concentrates and solventless products are gaining in popularity as well. It’s just a matter of time before many of these nations fully legalize the plant.

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1. Website: http://www.rosintech.com/
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