Although the regulation of cannabis for adult use for recreational purposes still needs a debate in the Senate to become a law of the Republic, Senator Jonathan Pulido, better known as Jota Pe Hernández, wants to sink the project by considering, from its concept, that is not viable for Colombia.
This was announced by the active youtuber through his Twitter account, where he reacted to the decision made by the First Committee of the Senate, on Tuesday, June 6, when it approved the recreational use of marijuana in the legislative act that co-directs the Senator María José Pizarro, from the Historical Pact, and representative Juan Carlos Lozada, from the Liberal Party.
Hernández published on his social networks an infographic with the faces and names of the congressmen who supported this project, which the senator from the Alianza Verde party described as a “disgrace”, and assured that there are still opportunities to prevent it from continuing with its process in the Congress of the republic.
“The LEGALIZATION OF THE MARIJUANA TRADE has just been APPROVED in the First Commission, the sale and distribution of marijuana will be LEGAL thanks to these senators who VOTED YES (we have 1 debate left in plenary to prevent this disgrace from being fully approved)”, assured Jota Pe Hernández.
The initiative had 15 votes in favor and 5 against in the First Commission. According to what the congressman from the alternative bank showed, those who supported and opposed the project were:
A favor
From the Historical Pact: Senators María José Pizarro, Alexander López, Aida Quilcué and Julio Estrada.
From the U Party: Senators Julio Chagui and Alfredo Deluque.
For Radical Change: Senators David Luna, Carlos Fernando Motoa and Jorge Benedetti.
From the Liberal Party: Senators Fabio Amín, Carlos Chacón and Alejandro Vega.
From the Alianza Verde Centro Esperanza Coalition: Senators Ariel Ávila and Humberto de la Calle.
From the Comunes Party: Senator Julián Gallo, better known as Carlos Antonio Lozada.
Against
From Green Alliance: Senator Jota Pe Hernandez.
From the Conservative Party: Senators Germán Blanco, Óscar Barreto and Juan Carlos García.
From the Democratic Center: Senator María Fernanda Cabal. Senator Paloma Valencia, from that party, did not attend the vote on Tuesday, June 6.
Since the project reached that commission, Congressman Hernández has been reluctant, arguing that, supposedly, it is giving free rein to “vices” and promulgating the alleged drug addiction. He even asked the speakers of the project to show public opinion that he himself was the one who sought to stop that project.
“As my colleague, Senator Germán Blanco, used to say, make a sign with those of us who are against it, but make us big. I would dare to ask them, even if they make me bigger than Senator Blanco because I am completely against it, ”he said.
What’s more, during some of the past debates, the also political influencer recalled his study days and narrated why his fierce opposition to the approval of marijuana.
Jota Pe Hernandez Wants To Destroy Cannabis Legalization In Colombia
“When I was at school I remember that my classmates were there in eighth, ninth (grades), they invited me to try cigarettes. Thank God I never agreed and I have never smoked a cigarette, but I bring back that memory to tell you that I received this proposal because it was very easy for them to have a cigarette. Going into a store, buying it and that’s it, being teenagers,” said the senator, who questioned the way in which his fellow congressmen seek to show the country the benefits of legalizing cannabis.
“Colombia has to know, Colombian parents have to know what they have tried to romanticize here is not how they have tried to romanticize it. Colombians have to know that today the legalization of the marijuana trade is about to be approved, just like that, let’s say it like it is: don’t come here with romanticisms, recreational cannabis. Colombians who do not want to see their children lost in vices like marijuana have to know that what is voted here today (sic)”, said Jota Pe.
For now, the project is further ahead than ever and, it seems, it will soon become law despite the fact that the congressman, who is part of the alternative caucus, would be violating the ideals with which he obtained the seat in March 2022. With infobae