Why it matters: This article highlights the success of Uruguay’s legal recreational cannabis program, which has been in place for six years. It provides data on the amount of marijuana sold, the number of registered users, and the presence of cannabis companies and pharmacies in the country.
What they are saying: According to the Institute for Regulation and Control of Cannabis in Uruguay, cannabis pharmacies have sold over 10 million grams of marijuana since July 2017. There are currently over 61,000 registered individuals eligible to access pharmacies for marijuana purchases. Additionally, there are three companies producing cannabis, 37 authorized pharmacies, 14,592 registered users for domestic cultivation, and 10,486 members of cannabis clubs.
The big picture: Uruguay made history in 2013 by becoming the first country to legalize all stages of the cannabis process, including growing, sale, and smoking. The law was intended to combat drug traffickers and has been seen as a pioneering social experiment. The implementation of the law faced challenges, and the government took steps to prevent Uruguay from becoming a pot tourism destination.
What to watch: It will be important to assess the longer-term impacts of Uruguay’s fully implemented legalization regime on substance use outcomes, especially among adolescents. More studies are needed to understand the effects of the program on cannabis consumption and perceived risk.
My take: The success of Uruguay’s legal recreational cannabis program is noteworthy and provides insights into the potential benefits and challenges of such legalization. The data shows that it is possible to implement a regulated cannabis market while minimizing the impact on youth consumption. However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential consequences of legalization.
