Cannabis License Info

Updated: August 2022

In late 2015, Colombia legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Recreational marijuana, also commonly referred to as “adult use” cannabis to distinguish it from medical marijuana, is not legal in Colombia.

Since 2015, several laws have been passed and amended to further expand and regulate Colombia’s medical cannabis market. Now, the cultivation, production, distribution, sale, import, and export of medical cannabis and cannabis products is legal.

There are two government agencies that oversee and license cannabis businesses in Colombia: the Ministry of Justice and Law and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

Even though recreational marijuana is illegal in Colombia, individuals can legally possess up to 20 grams of cannabis, consume cannabis in public, and grow up to 20 plants.

Below you will find information regarding Colombia’s medical cannabis licenses. We keep this page up-to-date when new information becomes available. Please note that this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

General Definitions

Dispensaries Cultivators Manufacturers

Dispensaries sell cannabis and cannabis products in a legal, regulated setting.

What kind of point-of-sale do I need to operate a Dispensary?

Most states require dispensaries to track and trace all of their cannabis-related products for regulatory and compliance reporting requirements. Our Dispensary Point of Sale and inventory management system provides comprehensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking with a focus on compliant data points.  If your state requires seed-to-sale systems to stay compliant, BioTrack has you covered.

Cultivators, also commonly referred to as growers or producers, are responsible for growing cannabis. Once harvested, mature plants are transferred to manufacturers.

What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Cultivation Facility?

Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation efforts and inventory.  Our cultivation seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance.  BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.

Manufacturers—also known as processors—take harvested cannabis from cultivators and create derivative extracts for edibles, concentrates, topicals, and prepacks. Once finished, their products are transported to dispensaries.

What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Manufacturing Facility?

Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation efforts and inventory.  Our processing seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance.  BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.

Colombia’s Licenses

License Information

There are four types of cannabis business licenses in Colombia.

The license for the use of cannabis seeds allows the license holder to sell and distribute
cannabis seeds. The Ministry of Justice and Law oversees and awards these licenses.

The license for the cultivation of psychoactive cannabis allows the license holder to
cultivate cannabis with a THC content above 1%. The Ministry of Justice and Law oversees and
awards these licenses.

The license for the cultivation of non-psychoactive cannabis allows the license holder to
cultivate cannabis with a THC content under 1%. The Ministry of Justice and Law oversees and
awards these licenses.

The license for the manufacture of cannabis derivatives allows the license holder to
manufacture cannabis products. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection oversees and
awards these licenses.

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