Colombia is notorious as the world’s biggest supplier of cocaine. Now it is positioning itself as a producer and exporter of another drug, one that is increasingly legal around the world — cannabis.
With interest in medical marijuana booming, the big North American cannabis companies are increasingly looking abroad for places where they can grow plants easily and cheaply.
Colombia, with its equatorial climate and 12 hours of daylight all year round, fits the bill. Land and labour is relatively cheap, and a skilled rural workforce has experience in the cut-flower industry.