A senator in Colombia is calling on his colleagues to reopen the debate on marijuana laws:
We are talking about a plant (cannabis) whose cultivation has been known for 8,000 years and has been used not only for its therapeutic properties but also for its industrial uses. Despite this, an extended prohibitionist drug policy primarily aimed at criminalizing users has delayed the start of a clear discussion of the effects and benefits of marijuana on health and on effective consumption prevention strategies. It is necessary to reopen the public debate.