Bolivia rewrites drug controls and requires medical-use authorisations

Bolivia’s drug-control law of 16 March 2017 required registration and prior health-ministry permission for handling medicinal controlled substances. It also reorganised investigations, treatment and confiscation of assets, while leaving the earlier cannabis-possession and trafficking offences in place.

The older drug law continued to affect users

Under the 1988 law, people found with a minimal quantity for immediate personal consumption faced compulsory treatment. Possession above the medically assessed amount fell under trafficking, carrying ten to twenty-five years in prison plus a fine.

The 2017 reform repealed selected administrative rules and other parts of that law. It retained the offences governing personal possession, unlawful cultivation, trafficking and supply.

Cannabis and cannabis resin also appeared in the new law’s controlled list, keeping their handling subject to drug controls.

Medicinal substances required prior permission

People and businesses wishing to import, export, trade or produce medicinal controlled substances had to register and obtain prior authorisation from the health ministry.

Scientific institutions, universities, state bodies, laboratories and pharmaceutical industries could receive limited, exceptional permissions to import, handle or acquire controlled substances for scientific and medical research. They had to report periodically on quantities used, their use and research results.

Authorised laboratories could manufacture medicines containing controlled substances, including substances from the strictest list where applicable. Supply to the public was restricted to approved establishments and pharmacies, using prescriptions or health-ministry forms as required.

Investigators gained a revised set of powers

The law addressed drug investigations alongside lawful medical handling. It provided for interception of communications with judicial authorisation and set out rules on cooperation, information and the handling of assets linked to drug offences.

Its health provisions also covered prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration, involving health, education and security institutions. These formed part of a broader reform spanning enforcement and public services.

Implementing regulations followed in December 2017, giving further rules for the new drug-control law.

One family later secured a medical import approval

In November 2021, the ombudsman reported that the medicines agency had authorised a compassionate cannabis import for one child under medical supervision. The family had needed help clarifying changing application requirements.

A 2026 bill later proposed a dedicated patient register, licensed production and prescription dispensing through pharmacies. That proposal brought the question of a wider medical supply system before parliament, alongside the individual authorisation documented in Bolivia.^[1][2][3][4]