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Uruguay MPs back marijuana legalisation bill Uruguay MPs back marijuana legalisation bill
(about 3 hours later)
Members of Uruguay's House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalise marijuana.Members of Uruguay's House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalise marijuana.
If it goes on to be approved by the Senate, Uruguay will become the first country to regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.If it goes on to be approved by the Senate, Uruguay will become the first country to regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.
The measure is backed by the government of President Jose Mujica, who says it will remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs.The measure is backed by the government of President Jose Mujica, who says it will remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs.
Under the bill, only the government would be allowed to sell marijuana.Under the bill, only the government would be allowed to sell marijuana.
The state would assume "the control and regulation of the importation, exportation, plantation, cultivation, the harvest, the production, the acquisition, the storage, the commercialisation and the distribution of cannabis and its by-products".The state would assume "the control and regulation of the importation, exportation, plantation, cultivation, the harvest, the production, the acquisition, the storage, the commercialisation and the distribution of cannabis and its by-products".
Buyers would have to be registered on a database and be over the age of 18. They would be able to buy up to 40g (1.4oz) per month in specially licensed pharmacies or grow up to six plants at home.Buyers would have to be registered on a database and be over the age of 18. They would be able to buy up to 40g (1.4oz) per month in specially licensed pharmacies or grow up to six plants at home.
Foreigners would be excluded from the measure.Foreigners would be excluded from the measure.
Papal opposition Political tussle
The bill was approved by 50 of the 96 MPs in the lower house following a fierce 13-hour debate in the capital Montevideo. The bill was approved by 50 of the 96 MPs in the lower house following a fierce 13-hour debate in the capital, Montevideo.
The supporters of the measure argued that the fight against drugs and drug trafficking had failed, and the country needed "new alternatives".The supporters of the measure argued that the fight against drugs and drug trafficking had failed, and the country needed "new alternatives".
The backers belonged to the governing centre-left Frente Amplio (Broad Front) coalition, which has a majority of one in the House. "The regulation is not to promote consumption; consumption already exists," said Sebastian Sabini of the governing centre-left Frente Amplio (Broad Front) coalition, which has a majority of one in the lower house.
It is now expected to be approved by the Senate, where the left-wing government has a bigger majority. Marijuana use has reportedly doubled in Uruguay over the past year. An estimated 22 tonnes of marijuana are being sold in the country annually, according to Uruguay's National Drugs Committee.
The bill was unveiled last year by Defence Minister Eleuterio Fernandez Huidobro who argued that "the prohibition of certain drugs is creating more problems for society than the drugs themselves". But Gerardo Amarilla of the opposition National Party said the government was "playing with fire" given the health risks he said were linked to marijuana use.
But German Cardoso of the opposition Colorado Party said that "in no country in the world has the consumption of drugs been reduced through legalisation". All eyes were on Dario Perez, a member of the governing coalition but a strong opponent of the bill, whose vote could have scuppered the bill.
Another opposition politician, Richard Sander, said that even if the law made it through both chambers, he would launch a petition to have it overturned. During his 20-minute speech, Mr Perez reiterated his belief that the issue should be put to a referendum and not have been "imposed" by the government.
The vote comes amid fierce debate about drug legalisation in Latin America. But to applause by supporters of the bill in the public gallery, he finally concluded that as long as he was a member of the coalition, he would vote with it, despite his personal misgivings.
A group of former presidents and influential social figures, including Brazil's Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Mexico's Ernesto Zedillo and Colombian ex-leader Cesar Gaviria, have called for marijuana to be legalised and regulated. The bill is now expected to be approved by the Senate, where the left-wing government has a bigger majority.
For decades, drug trafficking has caused tens of thousands of deaths throughout Latin America, so the progress of the bill is being watched closely across the region, says the BBC regional analyst Ignacio de los Reyes. But opposition politicians said that even if the law made it through the senate, they would launch a petition to have it overturned.
Uruguay may have not experienced the bloodshed caused by drug trafficking, but the proposal could be seen as a test for violence-torn nations looking for an end to their drug wars, our correspondent adds. A survey carried out before the vote by polling organisation Cifra suggested 63% of Uruguayans opposed the bill.
The vote comes just days after Pope Francis criticised drug legalisation plans during a visit to the neighbouring Brazil. Papal opposition
The progress of the bill is being watched closely across the region, says BBC regional analyst Ignacio de los Reyes.
For decades, drug trafficking has caused tens of thousands of deaths throughout Latin America.
Uruguay may have not experienced the bloodshed caused by drug trafficking, but the proposal could be seen as a test for violence-torn nations looking for an end to their drug wars, our analyst adds.
The vote also comes just days after Pope Francis criticised drug legalisation plans during a visit to neighbouring Brazil.
The pontiff said it was "necessary to tackle the problems which are at the root of drug abuse, promoting more justice, educating the youth with the values that live in society, standing by those who face hardship and giving them hope for the future".The pontiff said it was "necessary to tackle the problems which are at the root of drug abuse, promoting more justice, educating the youth with the values that live in society, standing by those who face hardship and giving them hope for the future".