News: Chile Moves To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis With Backing From Presidential Candidate.

Published 12:00 AM EST, Fri Apr 11, 2025

Chile is entering a new chapter in its cannabis policy. Lawmakers have introduced a comprehensive bill to regulate adult-use cannabis, advocacy groups are rallying behind it and one of the country's top presidential candidates has pledged to push for legalization if elected.

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Chile is experiencing a major shift in its cannabis policy landscape. On April 9, lawmakers from multiple progressive parties introduced a bill to regulate adult-use cannabis, including home cultivation, personal possession, and nonprofit grower associations. Spearheaded by Ana María Gazmuri and supported by the “Regulación por la paz” coalition, the bill aligns Chile with international examples like Germany and Uruguay. The proposal permits up to six flowering plants per adult, possession of up to 800 grams annually, and 40 grams in public, while strictly prohibiting public consumption. Advocates argue this move will undercut the illegal market and refocus law enforcement on serious crimes.

Beyond the political sphere, there is strong grassroots and cultural support for reform. Civil society groups, cannabis lawyers, and activist leaders see the bill as a culmination of long-standing advocacy and a necessary step for safeguarding human and civil rights. These voices emphasize the normalization of cannabis dialogue in Chilean workplaces, universities, and households, suggesting that society is ready for a legal, regulated framework. There's widespread acknowledgment that regulation is overdue and crucial for disempowering organized crime and legitimizing practices already common in many communities.

Cannabis legalization is now a centerpiece in Chile’s presidential race. Leading candidate Vlado Mirosevic has committed to removing cannabis from the list of dangerous substances and legalizing its cultivation and sale. His "humanist liberal" approach seeks a model that balances public health, civil rights, and pragmatic regulation—whether through state control or private licensing. His candidacy adds further legitimacy to the conversation, which has evolved from activist-led calls to a mainstream electoral issue.

Chile's potential cannabis reform could dramatically reshape the South American cannabis industry. Legal recognition of home cultivation and nonprofit associations introduces a semi-formal market structure, reducing risks for small cultivators and seedbanks. If passed, Chile would join countries like Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina in leading regional cannabis normalization—paving the way for more structured commercial models. This creates opportunities for domestic brands, cultivation tech, genetics innovation, and educational initiatives, while also attracting global interest from investors and regulatory bodies. For industry stakeholders, Chile’s move signals a broader cultural and regulatory shift in Latin America that’s ripe for strategic positioning.

Source: Benzinga