Uruguay: cannabis should (finally) arrive in pharmacies in April

Sales of legal cannabis in Uruguayan pharmacies are expected to begin by April, according to the vice-president of the Uruguayan Ministry of Health. Centro de Farmacias del Uruguay Alejandro Antalich.

According to him, it's the installation of alarm signals in pharmacies that delayed grass distribution. In January, pharmacists cited fear of robberies of cannabis stocks. Under Uruguay's cannabis regulation law, pharmacists will be allowed to hold up to two kilos of cannabis stock.

«Now that these security systems are installed, we will follow the government's instructions.»

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, President Tabaré Vàzquez said, »It's complicated, but we're making good progress in Uruguay, and I think all the conditions for applying the law will be in place by the end of the year.»

L’political opposition is concerned about the message conveyed by the sale of cannabis in pharmacies. Deputy Amarilla states that 'it's quite contradictory to sell a dangerous drug in a place dedicated to patients» health». He is also concerned about the increase in cannabis consumption, which has overtaken that of tobacco.

Cannabis social clubs demand more rights

March 6 in El Pais, The 38 cannabis clubs called on the government to legalize weed-infused food preparations, whether psychoactive or not. They also called for a more social approach to cannabis. In particular, the authorization of cannabis cooking classes, gardening and production optimization courses, as well as rights for individuals to make their own cannabis oils. Finally, they would like an escort during redistributions to association members.

The‘Institute for the Control and Regulation of Cannabis to get all parties on the same page. Only 6235 people have been authorized to produce cannabis at home. Clearly, giving a copy of one's identity card and proof of residence to a state authority does not seem to meet with unanimous approval.

Théo Caillart