Last verified: March 2026

Decriminalized — Police Corruption Risk

How Colombian Decriminalization Works

Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled in 1994 that personal drug use is protected under the right to personal autonomy. The ruling established the "dosis personal" (personal dose):

• Cannabis: Up to 20 grams is the personal dose. Possession of this amount is not a criminal offense.
• Home cultivation: Up to 20 plants for strictly personal use.
• No criminal record for possession within the personal dose.
• Above 20 grams: May trigger a trafficking investigation, which carries prison sentences of 8–20 years.

The Real Risk: Police Shakedowns

Colombian law may decriminalize small amounts, but police encounters are the primary risk for tourists. This is not a theoretical concern — it happens routinely:

• Cartagena is the worst. Police in the Old City and Getsemaní neighborhood routinely stop foreigners who appear to be using or carrying cannabis and demand cash payments.
• The shakedown pattern: Police stop you, claim you are violating a local ordinance (even if you are within the 20g limit), threaten you with arrest or a police station visit, and then accept a cash "fine" (bribe) of $50–$200 USD to let you go.
• Medellín is more relaxed. El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods have visible cannabis culture, and police interactions are less common. But shakedowns still occur.
• Bogotá varies by neighborhood. La Candelaria and Chapinero are more tolerant. Enforcement is unpredictable elsewhere.

Cannabis Culture in Colombia

Despite the risks, Colombia has a visible and growing cannabis culture:

• Medellín: The most cannabis-friendly major city. Rooftop sessions, cannabis-themed hostels, and a growing community of digital nomads who incorporate cannabis into daily life. El Poblado has the most relaxed atmosphere.
• Bogotá: More discreet but with an active scene in La Candelaria (historic center) and Chapinero neighborhoods.
• Cartagena: Visible but risky due to aggressive police targeting of tourists.
• Santa Marta / Palomino: Beach towns on the Caribbean coast with a relaxed cannabis culture and lower police pressure.
• Colombian cannabis quality: Local varieties are generally less potent than North American or European strains, but quality is improving. Prices are extremely low — often $1–$3 USD per gram from street sources.

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT carry cannabis openly in Cartagena. Police presence is heavy in tourist areas and shakedowns are systematic.
• Do NOT exceed 20 grams. Even slightly above the limit gives police legitimate grounds for a trafficking investigation.
• Do NOT buy drugs from people who approach you on the street. Scopolamine (burundanga) drugging is a real risk in Colombian cities. Tourists have been robbed, hospitalized, and worse after accepting substances from strangers.
• Do NOT resist police or argue about your rights. Even if you are legally in the right, escalating a police encounter in Colombia can have serious consequences.
• Do NOT assume your embassy will help. Most embassies can do very little if you are arrested for drug-related offenses.

Practical Tips

• If cannabis is important to your trip, Medellín is the safest major city for it. Avoid Cartagena for cannabis use.
• Keep well under the 20g limit at all times.
• Be discreet. The culture may be visible, but police attention is not worth it.
• Never carry your passport original when going out in cannabis-friendly areas. Carry a photocopy. Keep the original in your accommodation safe.
• If shaken down by police, remain calm and cooperative. Document badge numbers if safely possible.

Official Sources

• Colombian Constitutional Court
• Colombian Ministry of Justice