Businessmen say it is urgent to regulate the activation of the cannabis industry

The CEO and president of Flora Growth Corp, Luis Merchán, pointed out that It is urgent that the new government regulate the activation of the cannabis industry in Colombia, Taking into account foreign investment, it is close to 300 billion pesos.

He also pointed out that This will ensure the growth of the economy taking into account that this industry is growing and generating better employment and economic opportunities in the world and that this would allow conditions to improve in Colombia.

Said Exports have developed but are very small.

«In the last decade, specifically in the last 5 years, there has been a very significant foreign investment in the cannabis industry in Colombia, it is estimated that this investment has been approximately 300 billion dollars. Unfortunately, the regulation has not been able to advance at the same speed as the investment that has been made and therefore the exports, which although they have already been activated, are very small,” he claimed.

He also said that last year Exports of cannabis derivatives for medicinal use were close to 5.5 million dollars; Worldwide, this sector of the industry has generated 200 billion dollars.

He stated that this sector of the economy, “It covers not only the medicinal approach but also the industrial and recreational approach.”

In that sense, he pointed out that the expectations regarding the government of Gustavo Petro, They are very positive because of the position he showed in the presidential campaign on medicinal cannabis.

«I think it will be very important for the elected Government of Colombia to put in place a regulation that helps activate the Cannabis industry in Colombia, This investment that has already been made could increase the number of jobs that are in the field, in order to increase the transformation of the flower and its derivatives of cannabis into products for the consumer, that can be consumed within the country and that can be exported. », he added.

He also said that this would allow exports to increase, “clearly the industry has expectations regarding the new government but it is very positive. in regards to regulation and legal changes so that dried flower and its derivatives can begin to be exported in a much more accelerated manner and open the doors for other uses of cannabis. potentially including exports and sales of cannabis for recreational use.