Ecuador legalizes medical marijuana while South America goes green with cannabis

Ecuador recently joined the list of countries that have reformed their use of cannabis for its medicinal and recreational properties. Other countries include Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Colombia in South America and Canada, the District of Columbia in the United States and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia.

Ecuador is the fifth South American country to legalize the use of medicinal cannabis as a result of the government’s decision. It eventually joins its neighboring countries – Colombia and Peru – in the legal cultivation, processing and sale of medicinal cannabis.

It appears that South America is increasingly becoming a global region for the production, manufacture and export of medicinal cannabis to other parts of the world with lower production rates. By 2028, the South American cannabis market is expected to be worth $12.7 billion. Medicinal cannabis alone is expected to generate a projected value of at least $8.5 billion. That forecast could be exceeded as other countries are expected to legalize the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis-derived products within the next year.

Ecuador’s legal reforms

Ecuador is a South American country with Colombia, Peru, Brazil and the Pacific Ocean on its north, south, east and west borders respectively.

Under the country’s existing laws, it is not a crime to use drugs, including cannabis. However, the consumption of cannabis was considered to be detrimental to the health of citizens. Ecuadorian citizens were only allowed to personally consume and possess up to 10 grams of cannabis. However, the commercial production and sale of cannabis was banned and remained illegal.

This latest development in legalizing medicinal cannabis has been in the works since 2016, when Ecuadorian lawmakers first proposed reforming the cannabis industry. It was only legalized for medicinal use in 2018 when the National Assembly voted on the measure. The majority won by a landslide victory, 83-23, with 23 lawmakers absent.

To further strengthen the bill, amendments were made to the Organic Health Code (COS), also known as Article 340. Hence the exclusion of marijuana from the list of illegal plants and the regulation of medicinal cannabis products. This means that the production, marketing and consumption of medicinal cannabis is now legal!

It is important to note that the Ecuadorian government requires that when producing medicinal cannabis, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of the seed strains should have a percentage of less than 1%.

The Ministry of Health has been given the power to approve licenses for plantations that meet the requirements. Companies would be eligible to produce and manufacture cannabis for five years once licensed by the Department of Health. The medical professional association, which includes doctors, has also been mandated by the Ecuadorian government to monitor with critical care the prescription and administration of these drugs to patients in the country.

A new dawn for Ecuadorian cannabis operators

Last Tuesday, Ecuador-based AYA Natural and Medical Products became the first cannabis manufacturing and processing company to begin commercial cannabis production.

The inauguration ceremony, held last week, was attended by big names from the ministries of production, investment, fisheries and foreign trade. Representatives from the Ecuadorian Institute for National and Solidarity Economy were also present, as was the Deputy Minister for Industry and Production.

The federal government of Ecuador is deliberately pursuing its goal of mass-producing medicinal cannabis for export. The appearance of senior and junior government officials at the opening of AYA’s GMP manufacturing facility showed that the government is making a coordinated effort to ensure its domestic medicinal cannabis industry thrives.

Ideal environment for cultivation.

The climate of Latin America is known for providing the perfect conditions for crop production, which is due to the fact that the continent is close to the equator. This proximity creates an optimal temperature for growing cannabis products all year round. It is a known fact that the life cycle of a cannabis plant is around three months. This means that thanks to the favorable weather, the plant can be comfortably planted at least twice a year.

Countries in South American countries such as Uruguay, Chile and Brazil that have legalized medicinal cannabis production are known to supply a greater number of cannabis products than their North American counterparts.

Ecuador is a country in Latin America that enjoys these ideal conditions. It has fertile soil rich in nutrients due to past volcanic activity in the region.

In addition to these ideal environmental conditions, Ecuador also has a favorable coastline and a large number of ports that will play a major role in exporting medicinal and recreational cannabis products to the United States of America (which is considered the largest consumer of cannabis). products) and other parts of the world.

Agriculture plays a large role in the GDP of the Ecuadorian economy, contributing 10% more than other countries in Latin America. Therefore, the country is fully prepared for its agricultural sector to dive into the cultivation of cannabis plants.

The next big harvest of raw materials

All indicators show that cannabis could be the primary commercial crop for the new developing countries. The medical and recreational cannabis markets in legal countries and states are a focus for economic improvement. As more countries legalize the drug, it will come as no surprise to see medical cannabis flood global markets.

In Central and South American legal cannabis countries, they are trying to create demand for their cannabis products in the European and Israeli markets. Ecuador will join these countries once it has enough products to export.

final remark

Ecuador has finally shifted gears in its cannabis industry, despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In no time, Ecuador-based medical cannabis companies will pick up the pace to produce enough cannabis medicines to meet the needs of registered patients. The country will most likely issue more licenses to companies that have applied within the next month.

The organized strategy the country is pursuing to become a major player in the global medical cannabis industry is commendable, to say the least. Residents are assured of an improved economy amid other excellent results to come from the now active sector.

SOUTH AMERICA GOES WEED READ MORE..

COLOMBIA GOES GREEN WITH MARIJUANA, READ MORE!