Uruguay's government may become first to sell marijuana

"This measure should be accompanied by efforts to get young people off drugs," ruling party Sen. Monica Xavier told channel 12 local TV.

But other drug rehabilitation experts disagree with the planned bill altogether. Guillermo Castro, head of psychiatry at the Hospital Britanico in Montevideo says marijuana is a gateway to stronger drugs.

"In the long-run, marijuana is still poison," Castro said adding that marijuana contains 17 times more carcinogens than those in tobacco and that its use is linked to higher rates of depression and suicide.

"If it's going to be openly legalized, something that is now in the hands of politics, it's important that they explain to people what it is and what it produces," he said. "I think it would much more effective to educate people about drugs instead of legalizing them."

Uruguay is among the safest countries in Latin America but recent gang shootouts and rising cocaine seizures have raised security concerns and taken a toll on the already dipping popularity of leftist President Jose Mujica. The Interior Ministry says from January to May, the number of homicides jumped to 133 from 76 in the same period last year.

Overburdened by clogged prisons, some Latin American countries have relaxed penalties for drug possession and personal use and distanced themselves from the tough stance pushed by the United States four decades ago when the Richard Nixon administration declared the war on drugs.

"Out of all the drugs that are used for psychoactive effect, this is the least toxic, and the least potential for harm," said Lester Grinspoon, associate professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School.

"It may take some time to find a regulatory system that everyone can be comfortable with," Grinspoon added of Uruguay's proposed sale of the drug.

"There's a growing recognition in the region that marijuana needs to be treated differently than other drugs, because it's a clear case that the drug laws have a greater negative impact than the use of the drug itself," said Coletta Youngers, a senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America think tank. "If Uruguay moved in this direction they would be challenging the international drug control system."

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[malcolm-kyle]

It's a House of Cards; don't blink or you'll miss it!

"By legalizing the sale of marijuana, we hope to drastically reduce crime."

"The black market presents a much greater threat for our population than recreational drugs."

"Our inclination initially is to have production and regulation under state control."

"Uruguay, with it's strong legal system and open financial markets, welcomes foreign investors. Unfortunately, it also has a high rate of emigration. But perhaps now that they can access their marijuana hassle-free, we hope our young people will be persuaded to stay."

[john92021]

The drug companies will never allow it, too much money to lose.

[johathan]

For more visit or copy paste this link
http://******/M4ATpG

[1pheasant1]

by realpatriot1776 June 21, 2012 7:53 AM EDT

go downtown and watch all the bums, thugs, and panhandlers...

******************************************************************
Those look like some real dangerous "thugs" in the photo, Nancy!

[1pheasant1]

Guillermo Castro, head of psychiatry at the Hospital Britanico in Montevideo says marijuana is a gateway to stronger drugs.
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Uruguay still has zealots like Castro spreading Nixon era untruths to the masses.

[realpatriot1776]

it doesn't take a scientist to see the results of repeated use of drugs, go downtown and watch all the bums, thugs, and panhandlers, and ask yourself "isn't Life supposed to be Fun", drugs are a form of bondage, and if you want freedom and a good life do not get connected to slavery, you will be telling yourself I will feel better after I use some of this, or I will feel better ask I take some of that, or I will be relaxed after puffing on that. "be free, don't use dope",

[winchesterla]

I hope the 'drug' you mean includes alcohol!! Equally doesnt need a scientist to see alcohol causes more damage than all the 'drugs' put together. Why this herb which even Moses enjoyed. Go vergie, we are all told. Herb(ganja) is a plant. Simple plant made by God, alcohol made by man!!

[winchesterla]

It's good for the flu
It's good for asthma
Good for tuberculosis
Even umara composis

Legalize it - don't criticize it
Legalize it and i will advertise it

Doctors smoke it
Judges smoke it
Even the lawyers too
- By the great Peter Tosh

[Resculptit]

It is a shame that people such as "littleredtop" seems to look for anything to drag Obama into a conversation. One day "littleredtop" may find him/herself with cancer and need marijuana to rid them of the nausea of chemo/radiation treatments. And they will do almost anything to draw their appetite back. When that day comes, he/she will regret the thoughts and ignorant opinions they came up with today. He/She is an Ignorant fool.

[1stlttightwad]

This will be interesting to watch and see how everything goes.

[rauko1]

I live in Uruguay, and considering how our government likes to pay for everything, It wouldn't surprise me if they end up footing the bill for the ganja.