Uruguay's Debut Marijuana Fair Is a Hit: Our Visit to the Cannabis Expo 2014

During the two-day fair Spanish and international experts presented their ideas on the medicinal, therapeutic and industrial use of cannabis and hemp. These types of events are already being held in other parts of the world, with the difference that the Uruguayan expo (thanks to the approval of Law 19.172, governing the cannabis market) features the presence of the State and the exhibition of genuine marijuana plants, not allowed in other parts of the world, without a doubt furnishing this fair with an added value (and aroma).

The largest collection of plants belonged to the Hash Marihuana & Hemp museum, whose display plants were the first thing smelled and seen by the over 2,000 people that the Cannabis Expo welcomed on its first day alone. At the museum visitors found everything from briefcases to toys made from industrial hemp. Seed banks also attended.

Although they still cannot register their product in the country, they were present on a promotional basis, above all to gauge the Uruguayan cannabis market, speak with the government, and to even listen to its proposals.

The talks by national and international experts rounding out the line-up of activities included Don Wirtshafter (USA), Alejandro Madrazo (Mexico), Dr. Raquel Peyraube (UY), Hannah Hetzer (USA), Daniel Vidart (UY), Tarso Araujo (Brazil), Paul Standford (USA), Andrea Hermann (Canada) and Juan Vaz (UY).

Of special note were the Stanley brothers, from the USA, creators of the famous “Charlotte´s web” medicinal cannabis variety, rich in CBD and without THC or any psychoactive properties. Also on hand as a speaker was Paige Figi, the mother of Charlotte, the girl for whom this strain is named. The little one used to suffer up to 200 epileptic attacks per week, but managed to reduce them by 99% and improve her quality of life thanks to this oil, with a high CBD content.

Over 150 journalists attended the fair, which gives one an idea of the level of current interest in everything related to cannabis in Uruguay. This event was an excellent showcase illustrating this reality, as can be appreciated in this series of photographs we took at an exposition that has been seared into our memories.