Uruguay will send bill to liberalize trade and consumption of marihuana
Uruguayan president Jose Mujica will send to Parliament a bill to liberate the production, trading and consumption of marihuana as part of a package of drastic measures to combat crime which he will discuss with security area cabinet minister before making them public.
According to the Montevideo press the government will have a mechanism by which it sells marihuana cigarettes to consumers but with a registry of buyers. Regulation will establish “acceptable consumption levels” and those who cross the line will be summoned to join addiction treatment, financed by the government.
President Mujica allegedly consulted with members of Parliament from his sector, the ruling Broad Front, and there was coincidence that the bill would have a quick passage.
The initiative includes a “specific tax” on marihuana consumption and the revenue will finance a fund for all addictions treatments.
Simultaneously with the legalization of marihuana the government will announce a drastic plan to combat a cheap compound of cocaine (pasta base in Uruguay and paco in Argentina) with severe and exemplary fines and penalties.
President Mujica went on national radio and television on Tuesday with a strong message calling on society to reflect on the increase in violence and the need to protect the right to life.
The number of killings and armed robbery has increased significantly so far this year in Uruguay, which has caused a growing feeling of insecurity.
Likewise the Minister of Interior Eduardo Bonomi together with other ministers will announce the package of measures that includes tougher penalties for crime and other criminal activities covered by Penal law.
In the case of minors some sentences for special aggravated crimes will be trebled.
“Life can’t be bought, can’t be sold, it’s a miracle staying alive” said Mujica in his message calling on the defence of the right to life and combating violence in society. He recalled that at the time of his grandparents, followers of the different football teams did not have to be located in different stands.
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvGJvzwKqg0
Combining that with punitive punishment on stronger drugs may just work.
The UK system of drug control is a farce and ALL politicians are frightened stiff to do anything to stop or moderate the trade.
Holland has liberated marihuana for some time now without severe mental health problems in the users.
I have never taken any 'recreational' drugs and think the term an oxymoron, but there IS a problem being forced onto Uruguay by Argentinian gangsters and something has to be done to maintain the respect of the law and stop the drug related killings.
@2 For someone who exhibits entertaining brilliance at times, you can be an unthinking idiot at others. Have you EVER been to Nigeria? I have it is NOTHING like Uruguay, but heh, you have never been here either I suspect?
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