This paper examines the relationship between sustainability transitions and local development through the case of Colombia's medicinal cannabis industry. It highlights how neglecting place-specific needs and development expectations can hinder equitable transitions and reinforce existing socio-economic disparities. Using qualitative methods such as interviews, participant observation, and secondary data, we explore how regulatory and geographic barriers exclude marginalised producers from the formal sector. This exclusion limits the transition's potential for social inclusion and reflects broader patterns of uneven development. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating local knowledge and development priorities into transition strategies to promote sustainable change. The study contributes to theoretical debates by challenging modernisation paradigms and advocating for context-sensitive approaches. More broadly, it calls for inclusive policies that leverage the bioeconomy for sustainable growth in the Global South, emphasising the need for transition frameworks that address both environmental sustainability and social justice.