What Happened to Uruguay’s Cannabis Market?

ver since December of 2013 when the then serving President
Mujica of Uruguay diligently worked to make cannabis legalization possible, the
world has anxiously been holding its breath waiting to see just how it would
all unfold. So far, a full grow season has technically passed and another one
is on the way, but the people of Uruguay haven’t
seen a single joint of legal cannabis.

According to the new president, Tabare Vazquez, who at the
time of his election said he would honor the previously approved reforms, placed
the responsibility in the hands of his drug cza,r Milton Romani instead of
taking on the responsibility. Romani has
said, “We are not concerned with the timing until it is guaranteed that
everything functions correctly.”

One supposed claim for the delay is that the 5 major
companies in charge of producing and distributing the legal cannabis crop haven’t
yet applied for their licensing although they were allowed to freely begin
growing already. Unfortunately, one might even come across some cannabis that
has been stolen from an approved growing sight. This criminal method of
obtaining cannabis is unfortunate since it actually seems to be more easily
attainable and cheaper than what Uruguay officials originally announced would
be the approved price of a
gram of cannabis: $1. The product was to be available at pharmacies which
were already supposed to be stocked and ready for business.

Additionally, the licensing situation also applies to the
little guy with a home grow, who within the law’s framework, is allowed to grow
up to 480 grams per year for themselves. There is no date set as to when the
government will follow through with its promises, however, whether to the large
production houses, the home grower, or to the public at large. So for the time
being, Uruguay’s forward movement toward cannabis freedom has been postponed
until further notice.