This cooperative of farmers includes more than 50 farmers throughout five municipalities who first met with public officials last summer to outline their plans to begin producing crops for the country’s budding medicinal marijuana industry. According to PharaCielo, the mayors in these communities see the venture as something that could curb illegal marijuana production in the area.

Under legislation passed in December 2015, the group plans to apply for a cultivation license to begin producing medicinal-grade oil extracts and related products along with the 53 farmers from Corinto, Toribío, Miranda, Caloto, and Jambaló. PharmaCielo says that, per the agreement, it will buy land in the region to build “open-air greenhouses” similar to ones it is already operating in Rio Negro, Antioquia.

“Regional partnership with Cooperativa Caucannabis is a reflection of our commitment to leading Colombia’s newly formed cannabis industry in a way that should benefit all of Colombia,” said Federico Cock-Correa, CEO of PharmaCielo. “As fellow Colombians, we believe that supporting small producers is essential.”

In making the announcement, the company highlighted the role this development could have in an area of Colombia that has been devastated by more than a half-century of conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

“A former FARC stronghold ravaged by decades of conflict, the small cannabis farmers living in the war-torn towns and villages throughout this historic cannabis-producing area of Colombia deserve to participate in Colombia’s newly legalized cannabis industry,” said Cock-Correa. “We look forward to developing additional strategic partnerships with regional associations of small producers throughout the country in the future and supporting the country’s post-conflict rebuilding efforts.”