Cannabis in food, alcoholic beverages and dietary supplements

Resolution 227 of 2022, which regulates Decree 811 of 2021, regarding licenses, quotas and authorizations for safe and informed access to the use of cannabis and the cannabis plant, its derivatives and products.

This decree allowed the export of dried cannabis flower and defined the industrial uses of the cannabis plant.

The recently resolution allows, defines and establishes all the mechanisms and procedures for the industrial use of the cannabis plant in sectors such as food, beverages, alcoholic beverages and dietary supplements.

This regulation is very important since it establishes guidelines for the industry, from the production processes to determine the scope of the different actors of the sector (regulatory entities).

It is necessary to emphasize that this regulation does not include the psychoactive component. The plant component, grain and non-psychoactive cannabis derivatives may be used for the production of these products.

Products for human consumption may not contain an amount of THC (including its isomers, salts and acid forms) equal to or higher than the limit allowed by the Ministry of Health. Nevertheless, in case of exportation, the cannabinoid limit will be the one allowed by the country of destination.

The INVIMA as a regulatory entity establishes the different sanitary provisions such as good manufacturing practices (Food - Resolution 2674 of 2013 and Dietary Supplement Decree 3249 of 2006), depending on the type of product, and all the labeling and packaging requirements that are already duly regulated.

In relation to labeling, this standard authorized the use of images or allusion to part of the plant, as long as it is contained in the product, in accordance with current regulations for the allusion of any ingredient. Its use is also authorized for the advertising of these products.