The legal commercialization of cannabis in Peru is primarily intended to guarantee the fundamental right to health and to provide access to safe, legal products supported by qualified healthcare professionals. Although the legal framework clearly defines formal distribution channels—pharmacies and drugstores authorized by the Ministry of Health (MINSA)—an informal market also exists in practice.

This informal market lacks essential safeguards but still represents an alternative for many users who turn to it not out of preference, but due to barriers that limit access to the formal system. These users often do so in the hope of finding a committed and transparent provider. The comparison between these two market environments is based on five key aspects: product quality, health and safety, legality, consumer protection, and professional support.

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF KEY ASPECTS IN FORMAL VS. INFORMAL MARKETS

References

[*] Jurisprudencia del artículo 296 del Código Penal.- Promoción, favorecimiento o facilitamiento del consumo ilegal de drogas tóxicas. LP Derecho. (2023). https://lpderecho.pe/articulo-296-codigo-penal-promocion-favorecimiento-trafico-ilicito-drogas-otros/