Colombian Senate Fails to Pass Marijuana Legalization Bill Despite Majority Support

A bill to legalize marijuana in Colombia has failed to advance in the Senate with enough support during a final vote, despite receiving a majority of votes. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Juan Carlos Losada, was previously approved in both chambers last year and passed the Chamber of Deputies again in May. However, as a proposed constitutional amendment, the legislation needed to go through the full legislative process in each chamber twice, in separate calendar years, to be enacted. Lawmakers will need to start the two-year legislative process all over again if they want to end prohibition.