- Title: Uruguay cannabis sales begin after three-year legalization effort
- Date: 19th July 2017
- Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (JULY 19, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF LIBERTY BUILDING, WHICH SERVES AS EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDINGS OF THE PRESIDENT OF URUGUAY FLAG OF URUGUAY FLAPPING IN WIND RESIDENTS WALKING IN STREET GENERAL VIEW OF NEWSSTAND MAN READING NEWSPAPER HEADLINES NEWSPAPER WITH HEADLINES RESIDENTS QUEUING OUTSIDE PHARMACY PHARMACY EXTERIOR VARIOUS OF PEOPLE QUEUING OUTSIDE PHARMACY VARIOUS OF PHARMACY EXTERIOR MAN WALKING INTO PHARMACY CUSTOMER BUYING SEALED PACKAGE OF CANNABIS CUSTOMER PURCHASING PRODUCT WHICH REQUIRES PROVIDING FINGER PRINTS CUSTOMER HANDING OVER MONEY AND GRABBING PRODUCT CUSTOMER RECEIVING CHANGE CUSTOMER WALKING OUT OF PHARMACY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUSTOMER, XAVIER FERREYRA, SAYING: "I decided to buy marijuana at the pharmacy, in the first place because I don't have enough space at my house to plant and I also don't need to consume 40 grammes a month, which is what I would get if I joined a club. With this, according to the consumption I have at home, which is more than anything recreational, especially at the weekend, which best suits my consumption needs." MAN HOLDING UP PACKAGE OF CANNABIS UP TO CAMERA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUSTOMER, XAVIER FERREYRA, SAYING: "I bought (the brand) Beta, because it's really marijuana and tends to deal a little bit more to proactivity, indicating that it helps you relax and be in a state of relaxation. Actually marijuana helps you to be a little bit more attentive, for some tasks more than anything at home, at the weekend, I think it's the right choice for me." BAG OF CANNABIS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUSTOMER, XAVIER FERREYRA, SAYING: "I have been consuming for about eight years. First it was sporadic, due to difficulties in getting a hold of it. Well, it was sporadic until five year ago, due to difficulties in getting a hold of it and what I did get was not of good quality to be able to consume on a regular basis, more than the dangers of gaining access to a place to buy it illegally and in some ways breaking the law. We could smoke it but we could not buy it or plant it. So now, thanks to this legalization, we have reached the stage where our rights as consumers are guaranteed and the freedom is gives you to do this." BAGS WITH TWO BRANDS- 'ALFA 1' AND 'BETA 1'
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2017 18:47
- Keywords: cannabis legalization effort selling Pharmacies drugs consumers marijuana Uruguay
- Location: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
- City: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
- Country: Uruguay
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA0016QDWTVN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pharmacies in Uruguay began selling cannabis directly to consumers on Wednesday (July 19), culminating a long and pioneering legalization effort that began over three years ago.
The nearly 5,000 users who have registered with the government in the small South American country will be able to buy 5-gram (0.18-ounce) sealed packets for $6.50 each.
Uruguay became the first country in the world to pass a law legalizing the recreational use, sale and cultivation of marijuana in 2013. But implementation has been slow, and since then several other countries have moved towards a more flexible approach.
In Uruguay, any citizen over the age of 18 can register to buy cannabis. Using fingerprint recognition, they can buy up to 40 grams (1.41 ounces) monthly for their personal use, choosing between two brands - 'Alfa 1' and 'Beta 1'.
The product is grown, packaged and distributed by two companies, Symbiosis and Iccorp, authorized by the state. Its production will be carefully monitored to prevent it being sold to foreigners or leaving the country, the government says.
The original government-sponsored legislation emerged during the presidency of Jose Mujica, a leftist ex-guerrilla who promoted a number of progressive reforms in Uruguay. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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