Cannabis legalization is reportedly being debated in Argentina, although the chances of the legalization proposal making it to the finish line are unclear. Currently, the only South American nation to have approved a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure is Uruguay, which approved legalization in 2013.

“The debate on cannabis has returned to the Argentine legislative agenda following the presentation of a bill proposing the comprehensive legalization of the plant and all its derivatives. The initiative aims to profoundly modify the current regulatory framework and move towards a regulated model that encompasses self-cultivation, production, storage, and commercialization throughout the national territory.” reports Noticias Ambientales (translated from Spanish to English).

“Furthermore, the project seeks to move beyond legislation that has been in place since the late 1980s and which, according to its proponents, has not succeeded in reducing drug trafficking nor eliminating illegal markets associated with this activity.” the outlet also reported.

The proposal calls for the following policy and regulatory changes:

• Create a regulated production and retail system
• Legalize home cultivation
• Permit nonprofit cultivation associations (‘social clubs’)
• Expand scientific research
• Boost awareness and prevention campaigns

Argentina’s cannabis public policy history is full of twists and turns. Starting in 2019, Argentina made a big push to boost its domestic cannabis industry, particularly as it pertains to science and research. Back then, Argentina’s Ministry of Science and Technology signed an agreement with a local government, the National University, and other entities.

That was followed by a Presidential decree issued in 2020, which provided a way for medical cannabis patients to, in theory, sign up for a government program to be able to cultivate their own medicine. In May 2022, lawmakers in Argentina passed a measure that created the framework for a more robust medical cannabis industry in the South American nation, including provisions for boosting exports around the world. Later in 2022, the government established a public company to provide seeds, testing, and training to the nation’s emerging medical cannabis industry.

Where Argentina’s emerging cannabis industry goes from here is difficult to pin down, given all that has gone on in recent years. If Argentina does end up legalizing cannabis for adult use at a national level, it would join Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, South Africa, and Czechia in doing so.