Colombia is located in the extreme northwest of South America, the country is crossed by the Andes mountain range and the Amazonian plain, it is the only country in South America with coasts on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its latitudinal location corresponds to the tropical zone with abundant hours of sunshine throughout the year as a unique quality for agriculture.
The cultivation of marijuana in Colombia did not extend as a simple result of the increase in its use, due to the North American “counterculture” of the 60s, although the crops would increase dramatically to meet the US demand at the end of the 60s and early of the 70.
The world medicinal cannabis industry in 2017 obtained gains of more than 5 billion dollars, twenty countries have approved its use for therapeutic purposes and it is expected that by 2025 it will generate 450,000 jobs between Canada and the United States. According to the World Health Organization, the use of cannabis for medical use, 20 years ago went from almost non-existent with 23.7 tons in 2011 to 77 in 2014. Globally, Colombia is the second country with the highest quota for growing legal marijuana in the world, which is equivalent to 44% of the production authorized by the UN. This is the panorama of an industry that promises to become the “GREEN GOLD” of Colombian agriculture.
Colombia could not be left behind. Being one of the most famous historical producers in the world. President Juan Manuel Santos signed decree 1787 of 2016 that legalizes and regulates in Colombia the production, commercialization and export of cannabis for medicinal use. Colombia wants to promote research and the production of medicines made from cannabis, as is done with any natural element that can give relief to diseases or pain and this decision was due to a global cultural change, following the steps of countries like Brazil, some states of the United States and Canada.
It has been shown that medical marijuana derivatives can reduce chronic and acute pain, not only in terminal diseases but in neuropathic pain (that related to the involvement of nerve paths), and that linked to inflammatory processes, also it has been shown to be effective in controlling pain in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and migraine, among others; reduce nausea and vomiting in cancer and HIV treatments; stimulate the appetite and contribute in cases of asthma. Marijuana and its derivatives have also been shown to be effective in treating the post-traumatic stress disorders.
