The First Government-approved Harvests in Uruguay

Uruguay completely legalised the production and sale of cannabis in 2013 through a law that allowed citizens to grow marijuana for individual use, attend clubs to enjoy it, or buy it at pharmacies. 

Since that time the changes have been very slow in coming. Tabaré Vázquez, who succeeded Jose Mujica at the head of the government, has been more reticent to put into practice some of the law’s provisions, such as the sale of marijuana in pharmacies, which the new president has decided to indefinitely postpone. 

But the news is not all bad for cannabis lovers in Uruguay. The first government-approved marijuana crops are already being grown, and 2,000 home growers have already registered with the Cannabis Regulation and Control Institute (Ircca).

However, while the first harvests are beginning to bear fruit, the country's cannabis clubs are not receiving formal authorisation. Until now some 17 organisations have registered with the Education and Culture Ministry to obtain permits, but for now the authorisations are still being processed, as they still must wait for facility inspections to be carried out. 

“Those inspections can point out security issues, for example, that compel us to make another investment. It is hard because something that is strongly linked to a spirit of freedom is rarely linked to security,” explained Julio Rey, founder of the “Brotherhood of the Red Leaf” cannabis club and a member of the Uruguayan Federation of Cannabis Growers. 

Rey also stated that the theft of marijuana plants has already become a problem that would be solved by the sale of marijuana in pharmacies. This is a question that, for now, will have to wait until Tabaré Vázquez decides to set a date for its approval.