Are Uruguay’s Cannabis Legalization Laws Helping, or Hindering?

Uruguay became one of the first countries to fully legalize cannabis in 2014 — and though it never entirely instituted cannabis prohibition, transition to a legalized market wasn’t so smooth, especially for citizens like Alicia Castilla.

In 2011, authorities seized 29 plants and 24g of marijuana from Castilla, and arrested her. Upon her arrival to the women’s prison in Canelones, she received a standing ovation and became known as “reefer grandma”; her celebrity status grew as her story spread. Thousands gathered to march for her release and advocate for legalization.

Castilla’s story brought notice to a legal grey area, which allowed people to use — but not obtain — cannabis legally. According to Laura Blanco, “[…] consumption was legal but cultivation was not, so every time a marijuana-grower was taken prisoner it was reinforcing the message that the only place to obtain access to a legal substance was on the illegal market”.

After three months of imprisonment, Uruguay’s Supreme Court dismissed Castilla’s case. Cultivation and sales were legalized soon after. However, not all are happy with implementation.

Regulation requires residents to register with the government. “They will then be required to identify themselves with a digital thumb scan to withdraw their weekly maximum of 10g,” the author explains.

This registry, said Daniel Vidart, “stigmatizes marijuana more than legalized it. Why should there be a registry of marijuana consumers and not one of alcohol consumers?” Vidart asked. “Alcohol is a much deadlier drug. This law continues considering that marijuana smokers are so dangerous that they need to be counted by the government. And a registry is more or less safe as long as you have a democratic government, but it could become a weapon against consumers should the political mood change.”

However legalization plays out in Uruguay, other South American countries can look toward the country as an example.