Pubdate: Tue, 10 Dec 2013
Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
Copyright: 2013 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Cited: http://leap.cc/

URUGUAY LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

LEAP salutes the move by the Uruguay Government in legalizing
marijuana Legalizing Marijuana to Fight Crime

MONTEVIDEO - Uruguay is legalizing marijuana. A bill that would
legalize and regulate marijuana, putting it under strict governmental
control, passed the Uruguayan Senate today after passing the lower
house of parliament in July. President Jose Mujica, who proposed the
bill as part of a crime-fighting package, has said that trafficking of
any drug is usually more harmful than the drug itself, and will sign
it in the next few days.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group of law enforcement
officials who, after fighting in the war on drugs, now advocate for
its end, hailed the move as a win for smart public policy and a loss
for drug cartels in the area. Taking Marijuana out of the hands of
Criminals

LEAP contends that while some drug use is inevitable, by legalizing
and regulating marijuana and other substances governments can ensure a
safe product, keep it out of the hands of kids, allow police to focus
on serious crime and remove one of the biggest sources of income from
dangerous criminal gangs.

"Today's vote means that marijuana will soon be regulated and
controlled in Uruguay, thus reducing crime and violence," said Terry
Nelson, LEAP board member who worked for US Customs, Border Patrol and
Homeland Security in Central and South America. "Uruguay has taken a
strong step towards improving human rights, the rule of law and public
safety. I hope that other nations will have the courage to do the same."

The bill will allow personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants
and will be available at the Ministry of Public Health, licensed
pharmacies and at clubs of anywhere from 15 to 45 registered members.
It also has strict rules, including that no one under 18 can use
marijuana for any reason; provides for drug use prevention education;
prohibits advertisements for marijuana and enacts strict penalties for
violators. The bill also provides for a period of 120 days to write
more detailed regulations.

Uruguay has been praised by former Brazilian president and chair of
the Global Commission on Drug Policy, Fernando Henrique Cardoso; 65
Mexican legislators and more than 100 global organizations for
enacting the new policy. The move comes only days after a UK Guardian
investigation discovered a leaked UN document revealing many member
states' skepticism of continuing the war on drugs.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is a nonprofit group of police,
prosecutors, federal agents, judges, corrections officials and other
law enforcement officials opposed to the war on drugs.