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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom