Uruguay government legalises sale of recreational cannabis in pharmacies

Uruguay’s three-year process of legalising recreational cannabis consumption reached its final stage on Thursday, when the government said it would authorise pharmacies to begin selling the substance as of July.

Sixteen pharmacies have registered with the government of the tiny South American country to be able to sell marijuana for recreational purposes. That number is expected to increase to 30 in the coming months, said Juan Roballo, head of the National Drug Board.

Uruguay became a global pioneer when it legalised the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana in late 2013. But the roll-out has been slow, and the authorisation for pharmacies to sell cannabis – initially expected by the end of 2014 – has been postponed several times.

The government hopes the formalisation process will “guarantee the quality and the purity of the product” citizens consume, Roballo said. The cannabis sold in pharmacies will be grown by producers licensed by the state.

“This is not to promote it, but to compete with the informal market,” he added.

In pictures: Uruguay's Senate creates world's first national marketplace for legal marijuana

10 show all In pictures: Uruguay's Senate creates world's first national marketplace for legal marijuana

1/10 A cultivator of marijuana smelling a plant at his house in Montevideo, Uruguay EPA

2/10 Demonstrators participate during the so called 'Last march of the illegal marijuana' summoned by the groups that have long fought for the legalization of marijuana in the streets of Montevideo, Uruguay EPA

3/10 A government-sponsored bill would be the world's first to allow its citizens to grow, buy and smoke marijuana AP

4/10 Uruguay's Senate gave final congressional approval to create the world's first national marketplace for legal marijuana, an audacious experiment that will have the government oversee production, sales and consumption of a drug illegal almost everywhere else AP

5/10 People attend a demonstration in support of the legalization of marijuana in Montevideo, Uruguay AP

6/10 An activist smokes a marijuana cigarette in front of the Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay AP

7/10 A demonstrator wears a top hat emblazoned with an image of a marijuana leaf as activists gathered in support of the legalization of marijuana outside the Congress building in Montevideo, Uruguay AP

8/10 An experiment that seeks to confront drug trafficking was launched by 78-year-old Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, a former revolutionary leader. It would enable the production, distribution and sale of cannabis, self-cultivation and consumer clubs, all under state control Getty Images

9/10 People celebrate as senators approve a government-run marijuana industry in Montevideo, Uruguay AP

10/10 Uruguay's Senate debates a government-sponsored bill establishing state regulation of the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana during a session in Montevideo Reuters

Earlier stages of the process had authorised home cultivation of marijuana for personal consumption, and through membership clubs.

The process will be heavily regulated by the government. Pharmacies will have a total of 400 kilograms (882 lb) at their disposal, an amount that could increase depending on demand, Roballo said. They must sell the substance in 5 gram (0.18 oz) containers at $1.30 (£1.05) per gram, though 10 gram containers are expected to be introduced later.

Interested Uruguayans 18 or older must enrol in a government registry, set to open on 2 May, and are limited to purchasing 40 grams (1.41 oz) per month and 10 grams (0.35 oz) per week. Foreign tourists will not be able to purchase the drug.