Pubdate: Fri, 16 Nov 2012
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2012 The New York Times Company
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Damien Cave

URUGUAY: A VOTE FOR MARIJUANA

Uruguay moved a step closer to becoming the first country to legalize 
marijuana, with lawmakers introducing a bill that outlines how the 
drug would be produced, sold and regulated. The bill introduced 
Thursday in the lower house of Congress would allow citizens to grow 
up to six marijuana plants and to buy 1.4 ounces of marijuana every 
month. It would also allow for the licensing of marijuana clubs with 
up to 15 members, 90 plants and an annual production limit of nearly 
16 pounds. Advertising and exports would be banned, and a regulatory 
institute would be created to control the drug's production and 
distribution. President Jose Mujica has promoted the legalization of 
marijuana as a way to reduce the addiction and crime associated with 
harder drugs. Supporters expect the bill to become law by early next year.
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