Since two days Uruguay become the first country to fully legalize the production and sale of marihuana in the world. This article shows my thoughts on the subject.
If you already know about the law you can skip the "about the law" part.
About the law:
Basically it consist that a person can adquire recreational weed in three legal ways:
- By growing up to 6 plants and 480gr of weed per year for personal consumption.
- By joining a cannabis club which they can provide you up to 40 grams per month, maximum 480gr a year. As of today clubs cost around 35 - 50 usd/month.
- By buying at a pharmacy up to 40gr per months but only 10gr per week.
In al the cases you had to register on the Institute of Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA): As a grower, as a club member or as an adquirer. Since 2013, only the first two were legalized. It tooks us this time because there has been a lot of debates on safety and only few pharmacies were willing to sale marihuana in their shops.
Last tuesday the sale begin at 16 pharmacies in the country. Though they were stoked with the maximum of 2kg of marihuana, after two hours several pharmacies were out of stoke.
Only Citizens of Uruguay can adquire weed by previous registration at IRCCA with their National ID. This is to prevent Pot Tourism as Amsterdam is known. The register is fully encripted to comply with citizens privacy. At the pharmacy, members have to get their fingers scanned to confirm their ability to buy instead of providing ID.
The cost per five grams at a pharmacy is 6,3 usd, therefore an ounce would cost $35. The weed has ony up to 2% of THC, meaning the weed its really soft and light. There are only two kinds called Alfa 1 and Beta 1, the first being mostly Indica and the other mostly Sativa.
Insight:
The law isn't perfect, it has a lot of weaknesses but its has been great in several aspects.
Before 2013, the people only smoke a bad quality weed mixed with quimicals called "Prenzado" from Paraguay. People had to buy it at the black market. Now it's more easy(for a resident) and safer to adquire marihuana legally.
- There is a lot of personal growing
- There are several clubs you can join and
- The quality of the marihuana is really good, so it's more healthy and you don't have to smoke that much to get the marihuana effect.
Since 2013 I have rarely smoke prenzado. The state weed is really soft but the goverment didn't put any tax to it and its way below black market price to diminush traffic. In my opinion its fine that is soft since it's intended for people who use it as a recreational drug.
If you want stronger marihuana you can join a club. If 40 grams is a lot for you (because it is) you could pay the fee with a friend and split it (you cant do this legally of course ; ) ).
A cannabis club grow. Source
If you ever come to Uruguay, just remember that it's not something you buy at a coffee shop. It will be easier and safe to buy it illegally than in other countries (thought i don't promote this). And yes: you can smoke in the parks and streets but never inside a public space, this is forbidden.
Luckily prenzado is not something you see everywhere now. You see it only in times of dry season, which is in summer before the harvest. Though probably in the next summer will be gone.
And finally i should mention that medicinal marihuana isn't entirely legal yet but there has been a lot researchs on the subjects. This is one of the weakness along with Edibles: The law doesn't mention precise information food containing marihuana for sale.