Colombian Senate blocks reform to regulate marijuana use in adults

() — A constitutional reform to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes in Colombia failed to pass a decisive vote in the Senate late on Tuesday.

The motion, which had the support of the government of President Gustavo Petro, only obtained 47 votes in favor with the presence of 90 senators.

Under the Colombian Constitution, an absolute majority of 54 votes is required for a constitutional reform to become law.

María José Pizarro, one of the signatories of the failed reform, declared: “this decision favors criminality and a prohibitionist policy that has completely failed.”

The motion was intended to create a legal market for recreational marijuana. The consumption of marijuana is already decriminalized in Colombia, while the sale is only allowed for medicinal purposes.