Uruguay to make marijuana legal in trailblazing gamble

[FarCenter]

Uruguay is to give a green light Tuesday to making marijuana legal, in a social experiment that countries plagued by drug-related crime worldwide will watch.

The legal change in this largely rural and well-educated South American nation of just 3.3 million, looms large with a vote in the Senate.

The lower house of Congress passed the bill in August, so passage in the upper house is assured because the ruling leftist Broad Front coalition controls both.

"It is going to be a history-making day. This puts Uruguay squarely in the forefront of changing policy-making and strategies," said Senator Luis Gallo of the Broad Front.

The plan was unveiled a year and a half ago by President Jose Mujica along with other measures aimed at ending crime and violence associated with the drug trade.

http://www.france24.com/en/20131210-uruguay-make-marijuana-legal-trailblazing-gamble

[dhill926]

1. Viva Uruguay!