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Cannabis in Colombia (Caribbean Coast): Laws & Tourist Guide flag Cannabis in Colombia (Caribbean Coast): Laws & Tourist Guide

Is weed legal in Colombia? Personal dose rules, medical cannabis, and what tourists visiting Cartagena and Santa Marta need to know.

Last verified: April 13, 2026 · Constitutional Court Ruling C-221/1994; Law 1787 of 2016 (medical)

Legal Status Decriminalized
Possession Limit 20g personal dose (constitutional right); up to 20 plants for personal use
Medical Program Yes — Law 1787 of 2016; licensed cultivation, manufacturing, and patient access
Tourist Access Personal possession under 20g decriminalized for everyone; no legal recreational retail
Penalties Over 20g: potential criminal charges. Trafficking: 6–20 years.

Current Cannabis Laws

Colombia stands out dramatically from the Caribbean islands. The Constitutional Court ruled in 1994 that possession of a “personal dose” (dosis personal) of cannabis — up to 20 grams — is a constitutional right based on personal autonomy. This is not a tolerance policy; it’s a constitutional protection. You cannot be arrested for carrying up to 20g.

You can also grow up to 20 plants for personal use. Medical cannabis is fully legal under Law 1787 of 2016, with a comprehensive licensing framework for cultivation, manufacturing, and patient access.

For Tourists

CannaCarib focuses on Colombia’s Caribbean coast — Cartagena, Santa Marta, San Andrés, and Barranquilla. Here’s the practical reality:

The good: The 20g personal dose is a constitutional right. You legally cannot be arrested for having it. Cannabis use is culturally widespread on the Caribbean coast, particularly in Santa Marta and the Sierra Nevada region.

The bad: Purchasing cannabis is technically illegal — selling/distributing is a crime even though possessing isn’t. A known scam on the Caribbean coast (especially Cartagena) involves police stopping tourists who’ve purchased cannabis and demanding “fines” (bribes). Know the law so you can assert your rights.

Our advice: Carry no more than 20g. Have a copy of your passport. Know that the personal dose is a constitutional right. Avoid making purchases in heavily policed tourist zones.

Recent News & Changes

  • 1994: Constitutional Court decriminalizes personal dose
  • 2016: Law 1787 establishes medical cannabis framework
  • 2019: Constitutional Court strikes down public consumption ban
  • Ongoing: Recreational regulation bills have advanced but stalled in Congress; medical cannabis export industry growing