Uruguay: legalizing cannabis has not led to an increase in youth consumption

Seven years after becoming the the first country in the world to legalize cannabis, a study shows that young Uruguayans are not using more cannabis now that it is legal for adults.

In an article to be published in next month's issue of the’International Journal of Drug Policy, the researchers propose what they describe as «the first empirical evidence of the law’s impact on adolescent cannabis use and the associated risks.».

The authors stated that they found «no evidence of an impact on cannabis use or the perceived risk of use» among adolescents in the country, as well as 'an increase in students» perception of cannabis availability» following legalization.

«Our findings support the hypothesis that Uruguay’s regulatory approach to cannabis supply could minimize the impact of legalization on cannabis use among adolescents,» the authors wrote in their conclusion. «At the same time, our study period represents a transitional phase: access through pharmacies—by far the most popular means of access—was not available before the summer of 2017. Further research will be important to assess the longer-term impacts of a fully implemented legalization regime on substance use outcomes.»

7 Years Since the Legalization of Cannabis

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize cannabis, in an effort to combat drug trafficking, which was the country’s primary source of cannabis.

Cannabis has since been available there either at pharmacies, at a price of 1€ per gram but with a limited selection of strains and cannabinoid ratios, either in Cannabis Clubs, farmers' cooperatives that share their harvest, or grow their own food at home.

Although limited at first, the supply of cannabis has expanded as supply issues have arisen. In fact, the country is expected to soon Make cannabis available to tourists, who until now have been forced to buy their supplies on the black market.