Uruguay to Dispense Cannabis in Pharmacies by July

Uruguay continues to be a bold pioneer in the global cannabis industry. The South American nation was the first country to completely legalize cannabis in 2013. It’s taken the nation over three years to make access to legal cannabis a reality, however this July, pharmacies throughout Uruguay will begin dispensing cannabis.

“Cannabis will be dispensed in pharmacies starting in the month of July,” stated Juan Andres Roballo, the head of the National Drugs Council. “Sometime in the first two weeks of July.” Patients must enter into a national registry and follow a monthly maximum purchase of 40 grams (1.41 oz.) The registry will be open by May 2, and it’s only available to Uruguayan citizens and permanent residents. Registrants are also allowed to grow their own cannabis at home. Those who are 18 and older are eligible to sign up for the registry. Some Uruguayan residents are wary of entering into the registry, complaining of an invasion of their privacy.

According to the secretary general of the National Drugs Council, Diego Olivera, each gram of cannabis will cost only $1.30. Cannabis will be sold in packets of five grams and will eventually include packets of 10 grams. That means that five-gram packets of cannabis will cost $6.50. The government said that the formalization process will guarantee the quality and purity of the cannabis.

Two private state-sponsored fields, including Cannabis Corp, have stockpiled a total of 400 kilograms (882 pounds) in anticipation for the demand. 16 pharmacies have signed agreements with the government to dispense cannabis. That number is expected to rise to 30 within months.

Uruguay is home to an estimated 150,000 cannabis consumers—requiring much more cannabis than the government has been able to grow so far. Unfortunately, tourists will not be able to purchase cannabis during stays in Uruguay. Roballo added that the formalization process will “guarantee the quality and the purity of the product.”