Cannábicos

Colombia has long been a major producer and exporter of cannabis, reaching its peak during the Bonanza Marimbera of the 1970s and ’80s. Over the years, both public perception and legislation have shifted significantly.

Since 1986, Colombians have been allowed to cultivate up to 20 cannabis plants at home. Personal use was decriminalized in 1994, and in 2016, Congress approved medical cannabis. Yet, recreational sales remain illegal, keeping much of the market underground.

In the past decade, a growing movement of activists, collectives, and events has promoted responsible consumption, public education on the plant’s therapeutic benefits, and the right to self-cultivation. Medical cannabis has proven transformative for many patients.

Despite these advancements, illegal cannabis crops continue to fuel conflict, particularly in northern Cauca, the country’s most heavily cultivated illicit cannabis region. Here, armed groups maintain control, making it one of the most volatile areas in drug trade.

“Cannábicos” is a visual project that explores Colombia’s evolving cannabis landscape, spotlighting the initiatives working to challenge decades of stigma and redefine the plant’s role in society.

Jaír F. Coll

Jaír F. Coll (1997) is a Colombian visual journalist whose work focuses on culture as a factor of social transformation. His photography, both intimate and colorful, has been exhibited at the Photo Vogue Festival 2021 and was selected in the ninth edition of the New York Portfolio Review. Based in the city of Cali, Coll's work explores the universal themes of cultural identity and spirituality. He has worked with international media such as The New York Times, NPR, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Reuters, among others.