Medical Cannabis in Colombia Shows Strong Growth During 2025

During 2025, Colombia’s medical cannabis industry posted solid growth figures, expanding between 25% and 35%. This performance was largely supported by the stability of the country’s regulatory framework, the continued opening of export channels to South America, North America, and Europe, and rising confidence among healthcare professionals.

These findings come from an analysis conducted by Carmen’s Medicinals, which highlights how regulatory certainty has encouraged both investment and adoption across multiple segments of the market.

The strongest demand came from the human pharmaceutical segment, which experienced a 30% increase over the year. Cannabis-derived cosmetic products also showed notable progress, growing by 22% amid increased interest in personal care solutions. Meanwhile, veterinary applications—particularly products aimed at managing pain and anxiety in pets—recorded growth of 15%. Together, these segments demonstrate the breadth of medical cannabis use in Colombia and its growing acceptance across different consumer needs.

In terms of product formats, oils further strengthened their dominance in the market. Accounting for 78% of total sales, oils remained the most widely commercialized presentation due to their versatility. They are commonly used in the treatment of conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, and insomnia, reinforcing their position as the preferred option for both physicians and patients.

Medical Cannabis Consumption Trends, Regional Distribution, and Outlook for 2026

A key indicator of the sector’s progress has been the increasing willingness of healthcare professionals to prescribe medical cannabis. According to Juan Romero, CEO of Carmen’s Medicinals, prescriptions rose between 28% and 35% in 2025. This milestone was achieved as a result of growing scientific evidence and targeted training programs, which have helped reduce perceived legal risks among medical practitioners and encouraged the integration of cannabis-derived products into clinical protocols.

Data from the Colombian Cannabis Industry Observatory (OCIC) further underscores this momentum. The organization reports that 24.5% of Colombians have used medical or cosmetic products derived from cannabis. Adoption has been particularly high among socioeconomic levels three and four, with usage rates of 37.8% and 36.1%, respectively. From a geographic perspective, consumption was concentrated in major urban areas. Bogotá led the market with a 40% share, followed by Medellín at 20% and Cali at 15%.

Other regions also contributed to national demand. The Caribbean Coast represented 10% of the market, supported largely by medical tourism, while the Coffee Region accounted for 8%. This distribution reflects the higher concentration of specialized clinics and authorized points of sale in major cities, which makes access to regulated treatments easier for patients.

Looking ahead to 2026, growth projections remain positive, with expectations exceeding 20%. According to Romero, this expansion will be driven by product diversification, including new presentations such as cannabinoid isolates, dried flower for medicinal use, and advanced topical applications. Digitalization and telemedicine are also expected to play a crucial role by improving access to prescriptions and patient follow-up in intermediate regions.

Colombia’s position as an export hub is set to remain a key competitive advantage through 2026. The adoption of international certifications and robust traceability systems is expected to enhance the country’s ability to capture greater value in high-demand foreign markets. At the same time, continued local clinical research will further strengthen confidence in medical cannabis, reinforcing its role within neurological, oncological, and palliative care therapies.

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(Featured image by 2H Media via Unsplash)

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First published in Portafolio. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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