Uruguay Moves To Make Marijuana Legal

Uruguay could soon be the first country in the world to create a legal market for cannabis after a bill passed its first stage on Wednesday.

The controversial issue was debated for 14 hours before it was approved in the lower house by a margin of 50 votes to 46.

If the bill makes it through the Senate, it will make the South American country the world's first nation to take charge of the entire process of marijuana.

Possession and personal use of cannabis is already legal in some countries, such as the Netherlands, but cultivation and distribution is still very much illegal.

The Uruguayan government would assume control of all stages if the law was successful, including importation, planting, harvesting and the marketing and distribution of the drug.

Registered users would be able to grow up to six plants, gain access through marijuana-growing clubs, or purchase up to 40g per month at a dispensary.

However, it has faced some criticism, including from pharmacists who would be in charge of selling it to users.

Virginia Olmos, president of the Association of Chemists and Pharmacists of Uruguay, said: "We disagree with the sale of an abusable drug in a pharmacy, which is considered a health centre."

Plans for legalisation were unveiled last June after a series of efforts to combat rising violence, but a recent survey shows that 63% of people in Uruguay oppose the plan, fearing it will attract tourists for the wrong reasons.

Politician Sebastian Sabini, who helped draft the legislation, said at the beginning of the debate: "The regulation is not meant to promote consumption.

"Consumption already exists."

It is estimated that there are nearly 200,000 regular users of cannabis in the country, generating a trade worth up to $40m (£26m) a year.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Uruguay Moves To Make Marijuana Legal

Dengan url

http://anterinjemput.blogspot.com/2013/08/uruguay-moves-to-make-marijuana-legal.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Uruguay Moves To Make Marijuana Legal

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Uruguay Moves To Make Marijuana Legal

sebagai sumbernya