Fewer arrests and more tourism are some of the positive aspects of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, US, and Uruguay

Canada became the second country in the world to legalize marijuana. Now its inhabitants can cultivate it, possess it and consume it recreationally. In this context, it is worth looking at the success of this measure in Uruguay, the first country to legalize recreational marijuana, as well as in Colorado, United States.

Leer en español: Así le ha ido a Uruguay y Colorado tras legalizar la marihuana

The Latin American case: Uruguay is an example of success

The legalization of marijuana in Uruguay faces a problem. US banks are requiring Uruguayan banks not to finance or have businesses with the pharmacies that are selling marijuana. This is revealed in a report entitled "Uruguay’s cannabis law: Pioneering a new paradigm", published by The Washington Office for Latin American Affairs (WOLA) and The Brookings Institution, in March 2018.

"This situation left Uruguayan banks with a choice: shut down cannabis-selling pharmacies or risk the withdrawal of major American financial institutions from the country. […] For Uruguayan banks, the choice was an obvious one, and pharmacies were notified that their accounts would be closed. "

In spite of this, as the report explains, the tourist demand increased in Uruguay as a result of the legalization of marijuana. Although marijuana is not sold to tourists, the government could contemplate a program to sell cannabis to these people and thus create a new source of income for pharmacies. This is to avoid dependence on banks, as recommended by the WOLA and The Brookings Institution.

Uruguay is being watched by other Latin countries as an example to decide whether or not to legalize marijuana, the report says. It also notes that the legal marijuana market will continue to grow every day in Uruguay. This is positive, because so far "Uruguayans must choose among three options to procure cannabis: the commercial market, homegrows, and membership in a cannabis club."

These forms have been successful among the Uruguayan people, who receive continuous education about marijuana, removing the social stigma that this drug has. Contributing, in addition, to the creation of a more positive perception of the consumer who is no longer see as a criminal.

Positive data from Colorado

A report by the Drug Policy Alliance of early 2018, entitled "From Prohibition to Progress: A Status Report on Marijuana Legalization", revealed that in Colorado the measure has had a positive impact on the entities of that State that authorized marijuana's sale, possession, and consumption.

In addition, the report maintains, the effect of removing the criminal stereotype of the drug has been very positive in public health and safety. According to the Drug Policy Alliance investigation, since marijuana was legalized, "arrests and court filings for the possession, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana have plummeted ". Thus, arrests for marijuana decreased by 88%.

Another positive factor, says the same report, is that Colorado is making millions of dollars by paying taxes on the sale of marijuana. They have exceeded their estimates. Finally, the Drug Policy Alliance emphasizes that marijuana use has not increased among young people and is still stable in the different US states, where cannabis has already been legalized.

LatinAmerican Post | Edwin Guerrero Nova

Translated from "Así le ha ido a Uruguay y Colorado tras legalizar la marihuana"