- Title: URUGUAY: Uruguay straightens out last details on marijuana regulations
- Date: 3rd May 2014
- Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (MAY 3, 2014) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF EXECUTIVE TOWER GENERAL VIEW OF PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIEGO CANEPA, VICE SECRETARY OF THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT JOSE MUJICA, SAYING: "Whomever is not authorised, who is not part of the distribution chain and legally authorized through licenses issued by the IRCCA (Institute for the Regulation and C
- Embargoed: 18th May 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Uruguay
- Country: Uruguay
- Reuters ID: LVADCO5LN4C93GVXGPPQZ3HJ7K5E
- Story Text: Uruguayan authorities announced additional details to the regulations concerning the legal production and selling of marijuana on Friday (May 2).
The decree, which will be signed by the President Jose Mujica, will regulate the kinds of marijuana can be planted, conditions for cultivation, and how much a person can use without being fined.
Uruguay is the first country in the world to regulate the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana. In December, the Senate approved the law, which looks to reduce drug-related violence and arrests.
According to the law, marijuana users may purchase up to 40 grams per month in the pharmacy with a license only if they are residents of the country and above 18 years of age. Also, they can grow up to six plants per year and create clubs from 15 to 45 members.
Diego Canepa, Vice secretary of the office of President Jose Mujica spoke to press Friday (May 2) about who could face penalties.
"Whomever is not authorised, who is not part of the distribution chain and legally authorized through licenses issued by the IRCCA (Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis) for the production or distribution of cannabis, yet is moving cannabis outside of this chain, more than 40 grams, will be considered as not for personal consumption and will fall within the penalties established by the law," Canepa said.
Marijuana will begin to be sold in Uruguay's pharmacies by the end of the year. By then it is expected that the new system is up and running completely.
Authorities calculate that each gram of marijuana should cost one U.S. Dollar, taking away the incentive to buy Paraguayan marijuana flooding the black market at a similar price.
"The licenses, the first license will have a fixed price in the range between 20 and 22 pesos ($0.87-$0.95) per gram of marijuana for sale," Canepa said.
Less than ten hectares will be needed for marijuana production to meet internal demand, according to Julio Calzada, Secretary General of the National Drugs Board.
"The total volume that is consumed (per year) in the country is in the range of 18-22 tonnes. As a result, a maximum of 10 hectares (25 acres) are needed to produce for this universe of users," he told press Friday.
Until now, the lack of regularisation has left a legal vacuum that has led security forces and judges to act differently to crimes related to self-cultivated cannabis.
Uruguay's attempt to combat marijuana trafficking is closely followed in Latin America, where the legalisation of some narcotics is increasingly being seen as a possible alternative to the violence created by the drug trade.
Richer countries who are in discussion about legalising marijuana are also looking to the small South American country. However, the United Nations has criticised the law because it believes it is not the solution to the drug problem.
The regulations will confirm whether the greenhouses where the marijuana is grown to stock pharmacies will be set up at a military site which will have an Armed Forces perimeter guard, which is currently being considered by the government.
Uruguay, a country with 3.3 million inhabitants, has 184,000 people who use marijuana at least once a year and about 18,700 people who use it regularly, according to the latest official figures. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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