Uruguay became the first country to permit the marketing of marijuana

For the first time, marijuana will become a marketing product for every one in the Uruguay. It will be grown, purchased and consumed in the South American country freely. The main purpose of the law is to cut back the scale of the illegal drug trade.

Dec 11, 2013, 04:09PM | Rivka Salomon

Marijuana Photo Credit: Channel 2

Uruguay has become the first country in the world that allows full and unrestricted use of the marijuana drug.  A new law permits the sale of the drug within the state.  The Uruguayan Senate voted by a majority of 16 votes in favor with 13 opposed to the law initiated by the state’s government.  The main purpose of the law is to fight against the illegal drug trade, which exists in Uruguay and other South American nations.
 Lobbyists supported the resolution gathered outside the legislature, with some of them smoking the drug themselves, in order to push the passage of the law.  Public pressure also led to this decision being passed within the country.  The law states that every Uruguayan citizen will be able to purchase 40 grams for personal use every month, as long as the person is at least 18 years of age.  The drug will be sold in special pharmacies that have a license issued by the state, which will also carry out strict monitoring.
 You can also grow cannabis for personal use
 But purchasing the drug will not be the only way to obtain it within Uruguay.  120 days after the law will come into force, Uruguayans will be able to grow up to six cannabis plants in their homes annually.  “We are starting a new experiment this coming April,” the wife of the president and State Senator Lucia Topolansky stated.   “This is a significant cultural change that focuses on public health and assists in the war against drug traffickers.”  
 The country’s experiment may lead to other countries across the world adopting similar pieces of legislation.  Many countries in the western world are opposed to making the drug legal, while others believe that legitimizing cannabis will help fight against crime sponsored by illegal drug dealers, who use the money earned from the drug trade to finance illegal activities.