Ecuador’s National Assembly moved forward with a bill to legalize recreational cannabis use, approving it for the next stage with 142 votes in favor and 6 abstentions on April 7, 2026.
The proposal now moves to signature verification at the National Electoral Council as part of the citizen initiative process.
The legislation seeks to allow both medicinal and adult-use cannabis nationwide, while establishing a regulated framework aimed at promoting responsible use, reducing public health risks, and limiting the illegal market.
Under the proposal, cannabis would be decriminalized for medicinal and adult use and removed from the list of controlled substances.
The bill also outlines key provisions:
- Individuals could grow up to 30 cannabis plants for personal use, without commercial activity
- Adult users could form clubs to cultivate, store, and consume cannabis
- Use by those under 18 would remain restricted to medicinal purposes only
Assembly member Sergio Peña supported advancing the proposal to the next stage but indicated he does not plan to vote in favor of the final version, citing concerns about enforcement and potential risks.
“Drugs are harmful, especially in a country where there are no effective controls. Here, even disability cards were falsified. We need to address this issue so that it doesn’t become a double-edged sword, because we have to take into account the idiosyncrasies of Ecuadorians; we have to protect children and young people,” Peña said.
The proposal also includes penalties for violations, which may involve fines starting at 10 unified basic salaries, confiscation of products, suspension from registries, disqualification, and temporary or permanent closure of establishments.
Supporters argue that regulation could reduce criminal activity linked to drug trafficking and ease pressure on the judicial and prison systems.