Pubdate: Fri, 16 Nov 2012
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Note: times wire reports

BILL SEEKS TO LEGALIZE POT

Uruguay came one step closer to turning the government into the 
country's leading pot dealer as lawmakers formally introduced to 
Congress a framework for regulating the production, sale and 
consumption of marijuana.

The proposal is much more liberal than what Uruguay's government 
initially proposed months ago, when President Jose Mujica said only 
the government would be allowed to sell pot.

The draft law would instead create a National Cannabis Institute with 
the power to license individuals and companies to produce and sell 
marijuana for recreational, medicinal or industrial uses.

It would foster marijuana growing clubs to provide pot to their 
members. And most significantly, it would allow anyone to grow a 
limited amount of marijuana in their homes and possess marijuana for 
their own consumption.

Aspects of the proposal are similar to the law voters approved in 
Colorado, which also enables individuals to grow six plants for 
personal use. In contrast, Washington state's new law does not allow 
individuals to grow marijuana.

Uruguay hopes to drive major drug dealers out of the marijuana 
business and enable pot smokers to buy the narcotic legally.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom