What Legalizing Pot In Uruguay Means For the World

[Judi Lynn]

What Legalizing Pot In Uruguay Means For the World

This small Latin American country is now on the forefront of global drug policy reform

By Ethan Nadelmann @ethannadelmannAug. 02, 2013

Late Wednesday night, following months of intensive debate and negotiation, the Uruguayan House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize marijuana. If approved by the Senate, President José Mujica will certainly sign it, at which point Uruguay will become the first country in the world to replace its marijuana prohibition law with a legal regulatory system.

Uruguay’s bold move does much more than just follow in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington state, which last November became the first political jurisdictions in the world to approve the legalization of marijuana.

It provides, significantly, a model for how to engage in debate over marijuana policy in a mature and responsible way. When President Mujica first issued his proposal last June, he made clear that he welcomed vigorous debate over both its merits and the particulars. International experts were invited from abroad for intensive discussions with people from all walks of civil society and government. A range of specific proposals were considered, all with an eye toward transforming an illegal industry into a legal one to better protect public safety and health. Political rhetoric and grandstanding permeated the debate, as would be expected in any vibrant democratic process, but substantive issues dominated.

The bill passed on Wednesday effectively integrates elements of Colorado’s and Washington’s laws with innovations from Europe and provisions unique to Uruguay. Adults are permitted to cultivate up to six plants; cooperatives can provide marijuana for a limited number of members; and pharmacies can sell it. Sales to minors, driving under the influence and all forms of advertising are prohibited. This new model will be of great interest to advocates and legislators in other countries, and of course in the growing number of U.S. states in which a majority of citizens now favor legalizing marijuana.

More:
http://ideas.time.com/2013/08/02/what-legalizing-pot-in-uruguay-means-for-the-world/#ixzz2axF1kP44

[Judi Lynn]

1. Uruguay to legalise and distribute marijuana in world first

Uruguay to legalise and distribute marijuana in world first
Alasdair Baverstock London – 02 August 2013

URUGUAY is on the brink of becoming the first country to legalise and regulate the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, after an experimental new law passed the lower house of congress.

The law, which will come "within a matter of weeks", will legalise the drug for adult use, but only the government will be able to sell it. The bill must be approved by the Senate – a near certainty given President Jose Mujica's majority – despite opposition claims that the government was "playing with fire".

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the UN drugs monitoring body, said yesterday it was concerned about the decision, saying the law would "be in complete contravention to the provisions of the international drug treaties to which Uruguay is party".

Uruguay aims to put an end to street-level drug dealing, which funds more serious criminal activity as a result of the gangs that control its distribution.

More:
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/uruguay-to-legalise-and-distribute-marijuana-in-world-first-29467193.html

[Socialistlemur]

3. The incb ought to smoke a joint and relax

And order pizza.

[enough]

2. Thanks for a great post, Judi Lynn. (nt)

[ocpagu]

4. Congratulations to Uruguay. Such a huge step for the country and LatAm. Thanks for sharing, n/t