Uruguay President Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize For Legalizing Cannabis

Uruguay President Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize For Legalizing Cannabis

Uruguay President José Mujica has been nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, with supporters of his nomination citing his work on legalizing cannabis as the primary factor.

Earlier this year the Uruguay President gained international fame when his nation became the first country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis, a move that Mujica not only supported, but introduced himself.

The move, which has already been officially approved into law (signed by Mujica in December), and simply awaits full implementation, legalizes cannabis possession and cultivation for anyone 18 and older, and authorizes government-run cannabis clubs to distribute cannabis (pharmacies will be allowed to distribute cannabis to patients).

Mujica’s candidacy was submitted by the left-wing political party Frente Amplio, and an unnamed German non-government organization, with added support from a Dutch organization called the Drugs Peace Institute.

“I’m very thankful to these people for honoring me,” Mujica said in a response to his nomination. “We are only proposing the right to try another path because the path of repression doesn’t work.”

– TheJointBlog