uruguay cannabis Archives

Legal Marijuana Sales Now Underway in Uruguay Pharmacies

July 19, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legal marijuana sales are underway in Uruguay, the first country to officially legalize the plant for retail sale.

As of today (June 19) in Uruguay, marijuana is being sold in pharmacies throughout the country. As part of the country’s marijuana laws, those 18 and older are authorized to purchase up to 40 grams of marijuana for personal use. In order to combat the black-market, cannabis is being sold tax-free at roughly $1.50 a gram, exponentially cheaper than the price of marijuana in the eight U.S. states that have legalized the plant (where prices range from $10 to $18 a gram).

As part of the new law, first approved in 2013, marijuana clubs where up to 45 members can collectively produce up to 99 plants are also allowed. In addition, anyone 18 and older is authorized to grow up to six cannabis plants at a private residence, for personal use. Regulation for the new industry are overseen by the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis.

Legal Marijuana Sales Begin this Week in Uruguay

July 17, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

This week Uruguay will officially begin legal sales of marijuana for those 18 and older, over three and a half years after the law legalizing the plant was initially approved by lawmakers.

The legalization of marijuana was first proposed by former-President José Mujica in 2012 as part of a comprehensive package of proposals aimed at improving public safety. Uruguay’s parliament gave final approval to the measure in December 2013, making Uruguay the first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis for retail distribution. This week – over 3.5 years later – legal sales will finally begin.

“This is a historic moment,” says Hannah Hetzer, Senior International Policy Manager at the Drug Policy Alliance. “In recent years, Latin American leaders have decried the staggering human, environmental and financial costs of the War on Drugs in their region. Uruguay is boldly demonstrating that concrete alternatives to failed prohibitionist policies are possible.”

Uruguay Marijuana Sales to Begin in July, to be Around $1.50 a Gram

April 6, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

In 2013 Uruguay passed a law legalizing marijuana for those 18 and older. Nearly three and a half years later, legal sales are about to begin.

According to government officials, legal marijuana sales are expected to start in July, with registration beginning next month. Cannabis will be priced at around 40 Uruguayan Peso (or roughly $1.50) per gram. According to Julio Calzada, secretary general of Uruguay’s National Committee on Drugs, the low price is meant to undercut the black-market and the criminal organizations that benefit from it.

In Uruguay those 18 and older are allowed to possess up to 40 grams of cannabis and grow up to six plants at a private residence. Once cannabis sales begin they will occur through licensed pharmacies.

Uruguay Cannabis Sales Begin in Just a Few Weeks, to be Sold in Pharmacies

August 23, 2016August 22, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

In just a few weeks dozens of pharmacies across Uruguay will be legally distributing cannabis to those 18 and older as part of new policy passed by lawmakers in 2013.

According to National Drugs Board Chairman Juan Andres Roballo, there are roughly 50 pharmacies registered to distribute the plant throughout the country, and around 20 cannabis clubs where cannabis can be consumed onsite. Roballo tells us that the initial batch of cannabis has already been harvested and is ready to sale, with the public able to purchase from pharmacies by the end of September.

In Uruguay, the Only Country with Legal Cannabis, Price is Less than $1 a Gram

November 30, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

With Canada currently examining ways to legally regulate the distribution of recreational cannabis, we thought it was a good idea to take an updated look at the only country in the world that has legalized the sale of cannabis; Uruguay (other countries may turn a blind eye to cannabis sales, but Uruguay is the only one where it has been statutorily legalized).

In Uruguay, it’s entirely legal for those 18 and older to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants at any given time, with an allowed annual harvest of roughly 500 grams. Adults can also join cannabis clubs, where cannabis can be shared and consumed, and can purchase cannabis from designated cannabis pharmacies. Although the United Nations has warned Uruguay about moving forward with this new law, they’ve done so anyway.

Uruguay: Legal Cannabis Sales to Begin by Summer

February 16, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Uruguay will soon be providing licenses to companies to produce and sell cannabis starting by the summer, National Drug Board Secretary General Julio Calzada said in a recent press conference.

Although specific rules have yet to be established concerning the growth, packaging, and distribution of cannabis, Calzada told Reuters that “pharmacy sales will happen in the first quarter, or in the middle of the year”.