Peru's President not ready for cannabis legalization

«I am a liberal person, if you want to smoke a joint, I know you don't like me saying that, it's not the end of the world, but hard drugs are dangerous,» said Pedro Pablo Kuczynski., The Peruvian President, in an interview for a national television channel. He also warned against the danger of synthetic drugs.

The debate about a possible Legalization of cannabis in Peru has been revived since this statement by President PPK. The reactions surprisingly point to the expression «smoking a joint»smoke your buttthat he used. The journalist conducting the interview, Aldo Mariátegui, reacted afterward saying that far from criticizing his message, he thought the president should not use such familiar expressions.

«He could have said that consuming cannabis or marijuana isn't the end of the world, but not used the expression «smoking a joint.» I think he should set an example and speak more carefully as President of the Republic.

Also, Aldo Mariategui sees no problem with legalizing cannabis if it's to avoid the black market.

«In Uruguay, it's already legalized, In California, they will vote on legalization, in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state, it's legal for recreational use.».

And, unlike According to what Le Figaro tells us, to continue:

«Kuczynski, in principle, is not against legalization, but this is not the time to differentiate between drugs. I am not encouraging drug use or anything like that, but I am in favor of legalization because it is the only way to combat the mafias. As we saw in the United States in the 1930s, the prohibition of alcohol created Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, and all those mafias that would not have existed if prohibitionists had not banned alcohol at that time. They were able to tackle the black market when they legalized. All the Pablo Escobars and all those criminals would not exist if everything were legal, because prohibition generates the black market and attracts the bad elements of society. Now, it is a debate to ascertain the consequences of drugs, addiction, dependence, family problems, etc.»

Mariátegui believes that the legalization of marijuana will be achieved the day the black market as he knows it today disappears.