Bogotá, February 20, 2022. This Sunday, the president of Colombia, Iván Duque, reported that Resolution 227, 2022 has been issued, regulating Decree 811, 2021, in relation to licenses, quotas and authorizations for safe and informed access to the use of cannabis and the cannabis plant, its derivatives and products, and deciding other provisions.

The decree signed the previous year was the first step since it allowed the export of dried cannabis flowers while also defining the industrial uses of the cannabis plant.

"This resolution allows, defines and establishes all the mechanisms and procedures for the industrial use of the cannabis plant in sectors such as food, beverages, alcoholic beverages and dietary supplements, indicating, of course, that these uses refer to the non-psychoactive component," said Duque.

The head of state stressed that Colombia is at the forefront of the regulation of the use of cannabis and the cannabis plant, its derivatives and products in Latin America and the Caribbean. He added that within one month the regulation of foreign trade and tariffs must be concluded, which will allow to meet the demand of the national and foreign market of products with this component.

"Progress has already been made in credits for small and medium producers; these credits continue through the Agrarian Bank, where cannabis producers are also aided in all matters of foreign exchange management, monetization and marketing from Colombia," he said.

In turn, Fernando Ruiz, minister of Health and Social Protection, reiterated the importance of this regulation for the safe development of the industry and the actions of the different actors in the sector, such as the National Narcotics Fund.

"Very important are the different health provisions that Invima must decide, with good manufacturing practices, and all labeling and packaging requirements, which are fundamental for all the progress of the industry," said the health minister.

The administrative act has strengthened the production processes of the Colombian industrial hemp.

Ruiz pointed out that "there is also a possibility, with the components of the cannabis plant and its non-psychoactive derivatives, of producing dietary supplements, complementing the existing dietary supplements in Colombia, in order to advance in the entire process of supporting nutrition and support to people who require dietary supplements."

Also present during the announcement were Wilson Ruiz, minister of Justice and Law, and Juan Gonzalo Botero, deputy minister of Agricultural Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.