Uruguay negotiates sale of marijuana with foreign entrepreneurs

Canadian businessmen contacted several Uruguayan political and social organizations to present their projects in order to buy cannabis for medicinal use, as reported bya  local media on Monday, January 6.

In addition, the National Board of drugs (JND) has maintained contacts with laboratories in Israel and Chile, according to reports published by the newspaper El Observador.

The Secretary of the Presidency, Diego Canepa, confirmed the news and said that although it was not an objective of the law, Uruguay is transformed into a center of biotechnology. Also stressed that before the medicinal marijuana was only thought as an analgesic, but now there are studies that demonstrate  that some derivatives “may be used as medicines”, leading to further research into the medicinal properties of the cannabinoids.

Uruguay became in December the first country to approve the control of cannabis and its derivatives in the market, a previously unreleased project promoted by President Jose Mujica. According to the law, those older than 18 years will have access to the drug through self-cultivation, consumer clubs or to buy it in pharmacies, in all cases with limits and prior registration with the State.

Although the rule is already in force the Executive Branch works in its regulation and the way the licenses will be granted to plant or what varieties will be produced.

The national drug Board estimated that in September  will come out the first batch of cannabis production for the domestic market.