Former President José “Pepe” Mujica stated in 2014 that the legalization of marijuana in Uruguay is an “experiment”, like everything in life. With the suppression of drugs, Uruguay had become worse and worse, and with this it tried to rehearse: “a difficult and capable path that leaves some knowledge to humanity.”

The Uruguayan Parliament approved the rule in December 2013, making Uruguay the first country to cede the country’s production, distribution and sale of cannabis to the State.

The alternative to the “drug war”

“First of all, we must walk a little and live a little. Then, we can just take stock to see what was useful to us and what we must change. That is why I recommend caution.” Mujica said.

There are about 100 articles in the law, and people believe that it is a free stone to go out and use drugs or marijuana.

25 years ago it is estimated that 1,000 or 1,500 people used it, and now there are 150,000 people. During these 25 years it was repressed, confiscated and the facts have shown that the animal continues to grow. That is why a regulation is proposed.

“This one has a rather complicated mechanism. But I tell you today, are we on the way to victory? No, we are on the path of experimentation. An experiment done with intellectual honesty, but not to favor the spread of an addiction, which like any other addiction is a plague. “

Marijuana Legalization: A Better Way?

“I strongly believe in Einstein’s advice: When you want to change things and you keep doing the same thing again, nothing changes.” , commented Pepe Mujica.

Over the years, it has been repressed and persecuted, and it has gotten worse and worse, so other alternatives should be considered. And this is why the term “experiment” was used.

Will Uruguay continue to be an exception in the region in the future?

Although he was almost 80 years old at the time, Pepe had a big heart and the ability to dream. I wanted to find some useful elements so that other societies could use and enrich them, so that I could contribute with them. And he truly had this intention deep in his heart.

“As Uruguay is small, what it can do will cost the big countries more. Because we are not prejudiced. Because we are a secular country. We have always had a certain degree of adventurous experience and, if you like, it is a good liberalism in depth. : not cheap, but trying a different path. “

Salvados – José Mujica: talks about the legalization of marijuana in Uruguay