Cannabis in Argentina has a unique story that is one of steady progress mixed with sudden reversals. Over the last decade, Argentines have watched the Supreme Court decriminalize private personal possession for adults (2009), Congress legalize medical cannabis (2017), and the national government expand patient access and home grows via REPROCANN (2020–2023).
In 2025, a major shake-up arrived and new rules tightened oversight of caregivers and civil associations, the government attempted to cancel cultivation permits, and the national cannabis regulator (ARICCAME) was dissolved, leaving the industry in regulatory limbo.
Despite the turbulence, Argentina still maintains a functioning medical program. Patients with a physician’s authorization can register through REPROCANN to legally possess, transport, and self-cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
Enforcement varies by province, but the framework remains in place under the Ministry of Health. Medical access is alive just more supervised and carefully tracked than before.
Cannabis in Argentina: Is it legal?
Recreational Use:
Cannabis remains illegal to buy or sell in Argentina. However, a 2009 Supreme Court ruling known as Fallo Arriola determined that punishing adults for private personal possession violates constitutional privacy rights. This does not equal full legalization, public possession, use involving minors, or evidence of trafficking can still bring criminal charges.
Medical Use:
In 2017, Congress passed Law 27.350, legalizing medical cannabis and scientific research. That law was expanded through Decree 883/2020, which created REPROCANN, a patient registry allowing self-cultivation, caregiver grows, and nonprofit associations to operate legally. In 2025, Resolution 1780/2025 updated the system, extending most patient permits to three years while shortening caregiver and NGO licenses to one, imposing stricter documentation and compliance requirements.
Industrial Hemp and Enterprise:
In 2022, Law 27.669 established a framework for medical and hemp production, creating the national regulatory agency ARICCAME. A year later, Decree 405/2023 finalized licensing procedures. But in 2025, the government dissolved ARICCAME, citing administrative reforms. Provincial governments have since taken the lead with some continuing to issue hemp permits and adapt the national framework on their own.
What REPROCANN Allows
Who Qualifies:
Any patient with a doctor’s prescription or medical justification for cannabis can apply. A caregiver, physician, or authorized nonprofit can register as the cultivator. Registration grants legal protection for possession, transport, and cultivation within the specified limits.
Cultivation and Transport:
Patients are typically permitted to grow up to nine flowering plants at a designated address. Registered individuals may also transport their cannabis medicine within Argentina, including domestic flights, if carrying official documentation.
Recent Updates for Cannabis in Argentina:
The 2025 reforms for cannabis in Argentina introduced individualized limits, updated permit durations, and required re-registration within six months. While early rumors of blanket cancellations caused alarm, the Health Ministry ultimately reaffirmed patient rights under the revised framework.
Medical Cannabis Products in Argentina
The country recognizes three main access channels for medical cannabis in Argentina:
1. ANMAT-Approved Pharmaceuticals
- Convupidiol® (Alef Medical Argentina): A CBD oral solution approved for severe epilepsy syndromes such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet.
- Kanbis® (Elea Phoenix): A domestically produced CBD medication for seizure treatment.
Both are distributed through pharmacies under prescription, monitored by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT).
2. Magistral Preparations
Compounding pharmacies and hospital services can prepare personalized oils and extracts under physician order. Quality and pricing vary by region.
3. Provincial Programs
The province of Jujuy operates Cannava S.E., a state-owned cultivation and processing company that produces CBD oils for hospitals and pharmacies within the public-health system. It remains a model for sustainable, vertically integrated production in Latin America.
Key Laws and Rulings
Fallo Arriola (2009): Decriminalized private adult possession for personal use of cannabis in Argentina.
Law 27.350 (2017): Legalized medical cannabis and research.
Decree 883/2020: Created REPROCANN and expanded patient access.
Law 27.669 (2022): Established a commercial framework for medical cannabis and hemp, creating ARICCAME.
Decree 405/2023: Implemented licensing and oversight mechanisms.
Resolution 1780/2025: Redefined REPROCANN categories, durations, and requirements.
2025 Dissolution of ARICCAME: Transferred national oversight functions to other ministries, slowing licensing but leaving provincial initiatives intact.
The Industry Landscape
Argentina entered 2025 as one of Latin America’s most promising cannabis markets. Government estimates projected up to 10,000 jobs and $500 million in domestic revenue from hemp and medical cultivation.
Public-private projects were launched across multiple provinces, including genetics research through Santa Fe’s CIDCam and large-scale production in Jujuy.Following ARICCAME’s dissolution, new licensing froze temporarily, leaving dozens of companies waiting for clarity.
Provincial leaders have filled the gap, Chaco formally adopted Law 27.669 in October 2025, and Jujuy’s Cannava continues to export expertise and research data. The industry now relies heavily on provincial coordination while the national framework is restructured.
Leading Companies and Projects
Cannava S.E. (Jujuy): Argentina’s flagship public cannabis company, producing pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil for hospitals and pharmacies.
Laboratorio Alef Medical: Manufacturer of Convupidiol®, the first domestically produced CBD medicine approved by ANMAT.
Elea Phoenix: Producer of Kanbis®, one of Argentina’s main prescription CBD oils, and other cannabinoid-based products.
Pampa Hemp: A biotech firm developing Argentine-bred cannabis genetics with government partnerships and INTA research facilities.
Mamá Cultiva Argentina: A nonprofit advocacy group of mothers and patients that played a crucial role in achieving legalization and expanding REPROCANN rights.
Guidance for Patients in need of Cannabis in Argentina
Register Properly: Apply through REPROCANN with your physician to receive official documentation. Keep digital and printed copies when traveling.
Know Your Limits: Respect plant counts and renewal dates listed on your permit. Patient permits last three years; caregiver and NGO permits must renew annually.
Transport Wisely: You may travel domestically with your authorized medicine, but carrying cannabis internationally remains illegal.
Use Official Channels: Purchase only through pharmacies, authorized producers, or approved magistral sources. Street or gray-market products remain unregulated.
Stay Informed: Follow Ministry of Health updates and check your REPROCANN status periodically, as procedural rules continue evolving.
Hemp and Export Potential
Argentina’s climate and agricultural infrastructure make it a natural hemp producer. The 2022–2023 legislation positioned the country to supply raw material and pharmaceutical derivatives to neighboring markets.
However, with only around 40 hemp licenses issued nationwide by mid-2025, scaling has slowed. Provincial adherence to Law 27.669, such as in Chaco, signals long-term commitment to reviving industrial and export goals once the regulatory framework stabilizes.
Enforcement and Advertising
Selling or promoting unapproved cannabis products remains illegal. ANMAT strictly monitors claims and quality standards for cannabinoid medicines.
A 2025 voluntary recall of a Convupidiol batch demonstrated Argentina’s active pharmacovigilance system. Brands must follow pharmaceutical advertising rules and avoid making unverified health claims to remain compliant.
The Road Ahead
REPROCANN Stability: The government must ensure consistent renewals and patient protection amid ongoing administrative changes.
National Coordination: Reassigning ARICCAME’s duties to health and agriculture ministries will determine how quickly commercial hemp licensing resumes.
Provincial Innovation: Regions like Jujuy, Santa Fe, and Chaco are leading the next wave of development. Expect local partnerships to define Argentina’s cannabis economy through 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cannabis in Argentina
Is cannabis legal in Argentina?
Recreational use is illegal. Private adult possession is decriminalized, and medical use is legal through REPROCANN registration.
Can patients grow their own cannabis in Argentina?
Yes. Registered patients may self-cultivate—usually up to nine flowering plants—within the terms of their permit.
Can I travel with medical cannabis n Argentina?
You can carry cannabis domestically if you’re registered and have your REPROCANN documentation. International transport is prohibited.
Which cannabis medicines are available?
Convupidiol® (Alef Medical) and Kanbis® (Elea Phoenix) are the primary ANMAT-approved products. Cannava also produces oils for provincial distribution.
What happened to ARICCAME?
The government dissolved the agency in 2025, redistributing responsibilities among existing ministries. Provincial programs continue operating under Law 27.669.
What’s next for the market of cannabis in Argentina?
Provincial expansion, improved medical oversight, and a future national reorganization that could revive exports and industrial hemp.
Argentina remains one of South America’s most progressive nations for medical cannabis, but 2025 proved that reforms can shift quickly with political tides.
Patients should maintain up-to-date registration and follow official channels for access to cannabis in Argentina.
Entrepreneurs and producers must navigate a moving regulatory target, leaning on provincial opportunities while national structures reset.
For now, the message is clear: keep it private, compliant, and patient-focused—the groundwork is laid, and Argentina’s cannabis future still looks promising once stability returns.
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