From Malbec To Marijuana: Argentina’s Provincial Push Fuels Cannabis Tourism, Science And Policy
Argentina’s cannabis future is being shaped not in Congress but in the provinces through local legislation, public–private research and bold, sustainable ventures like Proyecto Vallecitos. From Jujuy to Mendoza, regional leaders are driving forward a more pragmatic and science-based cannabis model, bypassing stalled national reforms and building a diversified ecosystem rooted in medicine, research, tourism, and rural revitalization.
Mendoza: From World-Class Wine To Cannabis Innovation
Mendoza is widely known as the heart of Argentina’s wine industry, producing nearly 70% of the country’s wine and enjoying international prestige for its high-altitude Malbecs. But today, the province is also positioning itself as a leader in cannabis regulation and innovation.
This week, Mendoza’s legislature passed a law to create the Registro Provincial del Cannabis y Cáñamo Industrial, a provincial registry aimed at overseeing the legal cultivation, production, transportation and sale of cannabis and hemp for medicinal and industrial purposes. As reported by El Planteo, the law establishes a licensing system for companies, NGOs, civil associations and qualified patients, supported by a framework of traceability and compliance.
The legislation updates Mendoza’s existing cannabis regulation (Ley Provincial N.º 9298) and emphasizes education, research and the development of a regional cannabis economy—while explicitly excluding adult-use cannabis for now.
“The goal is access for patients with specific pathologies, like refractory seizures or chronic pain,” explained Daniel Llaver, president of the …