Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2014
Source: Buenos Aires Herald (Argentina)
Copyright: 2014 S.A. The Buenos Aires Herald Ltd.
Contact: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/Contact
Website: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4898

BERNI: ANTI-DRUGS POLICIES MUST BE THOUGHT 'REGIONALLY'

With Uruguay officially becoming today the first Latin American
country to legalise marijuana trade, the National Security Secretary
praised the Jose "Pepe" Mujica administration for getting the debate
on drug liberalisation started.

"There is no experience of that kind and it is rush to give an opinion
without the results. It is a country that has dared to make a strong
and profound decision. We hope it to be very successful; we have to
continue discussing because anti-drugs policies must not be (carried
out by) a single country but regionally," the official told reporters
today.

On Tuesday, the South American country turned into the first regional
nation to allow the growing, sale and smoking of marijuana following
the implementation of a law passed earlier this year.

Cannabis consumers will be able to buy a maximum of 40 grams (1.4
ounces) each month from licensed pharmacies as long as they are
Uruguayan residents over the age of 18 and registered on a government
database that will monitor their monthly purchases. Uruguayans will be
able to grow six marijuana plants in their homes a year, or as much as
480 grams (about 17 ounces), and form smoking clubs of 15 to 45
members that can grow up to 99 plants per year.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt