Despite the fact that two-thirds of Uruguayans are opposed to a government-run marijuana industry, that nation’s Senate passed a bill by a vote of 16 to 13 Tuesday that puts the Uruguayan government in the business of growing, distributing and selling pot. President Jose Mujica is expected to sign the measure into law because he believes bureaucrats can do a better job of controlling drug use and defeating drug cartels than police, soldiers and prison guards. It was his party that was instrumental in the passage of this bill.
Senator Constanza Moreira said, “Today is an historic day. Many countries of Latin America, and many governments, will take this law as an example.” She may very well be right.
I believe Uruguay will in time come to regret the passage of this law. Uruguay will experience a significant increase in the number of pot users. If the government tries to limit the amount of pot that can be purchased, the stoners will just turn to the illegal drug organization to satisfy their demands. And I can already see thousands of Argentinians crossing the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires to buy whatever amounts of pot they can legally get their hands on in Montevideo.
1 comment:
Pot is legal in other countries, but as far as I know no other country has the government officially in the pot business. Should be VERY interesting to watch how it works.
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