Pubdate: Thu, 01 Aug 2013
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2013 Associated Press
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154

VOTE MOVES COUNTRY CLOSER TO NATIONALIZED POT INDUSTRY

(AP) - Uruguay's unprecedented plan to put the government at the 
center of a legal marijuana industry has made it halfway through 
congress, giving President Jose Mujica a long-sought victory in his 
effort to explore alternatives to the global war on drugs.

All 50 members of the governing Broad Front coalition approved the 
proposal in a party-line vote just before midnight Wednesday, keeping 
a narrow majority of the 96 lawmakers present after more than 13 
hours of passionate debate.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where Mujica's coalition has a 
bigger majority and passage is expected to come within weeks for the 
proposal to make Uruguay the world's first nation to create a legal, 
regulated marijuana market.

Marijuana legalization efforts have gained momentum across the 
Americas in recent years as leaders watch the death toll rise from 
military responses to unabated drug trafficking in Mexico and Central 
America. Presidents Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia and Otto Perez 
Molina of Guatemala also have called for reforms, and a recent report 
by a commission of the Organization of American States encouraged new 
approaches.

Under the legislation, Uruguay's government would license growers, 
sellers and consumers, and update a confidential registry to keep 
people from buying more than 40 grams a month.

Carrying, growing or selling pot without a license could bring prison 
terms, but licensed consumers could grow up to six plants at a time at home.

Growing clubs with up to 45 members each would be encouraged, driving 
out unlicensed dealers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom