BARRIO (Marca) – As has happened on other occasions in Colombia and elsewhere in the world, the proposal for the legalisation of cannabis in a recreational or “adult” form, as it was officially called, emerged.

And on the evening of Tuesday, December 12, 2023 it had an important moment. But with a vote against the proposal, Congress decided to shelve it and the debate was left open.

Those who were in favour of allowing and approving it have argued that the prohibition only favours illegal businesses and distribution mafias.

Meanwhile, the sector that has been against the project argues that debauchery and exhibition would become an apology for minors and the next generations.

This scenario, so often discussed at other times in history and in other countries of the world, was known to Colombians.

However, the inclusion of lyrics and messages from reggaeton and urban genre songs took the controversy to another level, especially if famous and successful artists such as Karol G, Feid, Maluma, J Balvin, among others, are quoted.

During the heated debate, in which speakers from both sides spoke, which ended with the bill being shelved and a world-class celebration, Senator Inti Asprilla, a member of the Green Alliance Party and a supporter of the National Government’s bench led by Gustavo Petro, played a central role.

And in his speech against the ban, shared by himself on his social media profiles, he quoted famous Colombian artists and used the city of Medellin as an example.

Quoting Karol G’s song ‘Bichota’, he began to recite a fragment of the lyrics that mentions marijuana: “Juana is coming, Mari is coming. Toa’ las Barbies quieren party…”, then continued with the lyrics of Provenza by the same artist: “Papi, nos perdemos, nos parqueamos y nos prendemos…. We go through the neighbourhood for weed, put it in the hooka, so it dissolves”.

Asprilla’s musical review continued with ‘Ojos Ferrari’ by the same paisa singer: “Hoy se bebe, hoy se fuma, hoy se jode…”.

Later, there was a change and it was time for Feid or ‘El Ferxxo’, Karol G’s boyfriend, with the song ‘Feliz Cumpleanos Ferxxo’: “When you were my girlfriend you didn’t go out, and now, you even like to turn it on”, from the same artist the senator quoted the song ‘Yandel 150’: “Noche, de jangueo, de fumeteo. With you all the parties are perreo”.

Then Inti Asprilla moved on to the lyrics of Maluma’s ‘Coco Loco’: “Two beers, a coco loco, a baretico and we went crazy”, and ended with J Balvin’s ‘Amarillo’: “Drinking wine and some smoking mari…”

In the explanation, the senator from the Government bench in Colombia pointed to colleagues who are natives of and represent the city of Medellin, to explain that this is where these artists come from and are famous worldwide.