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| Chile cannabis decriminialisation: Lawmakers move to decriminalise marijuana | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Chile looks set to decriminalise cannabis after the country approved a bill to allow its people to grow small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes. | |
| The public gallery in the lower house of congress erupted into cheers and applause as 68 members – compared with 39 – voted for the bill. | The public gallery in the lower house of congress erupted into cheers and applause as 68 members – compared with 39 – voted for the bill. |
| The announcement has been praised as being a ‘big step forward’ in the usually socially conservative country’s stance on drugs. | The announcement has been praised as being a ‘big step forward’ in the usually socially conservative country’s stance on drugs. |
| Until now, planting, selling or transporting marijuana in Chile has been a punishable offence which could have resulted in up to 15 years imprisonment. | Until now, planting, selling or transporting marijuana in Chile has been a punishable offence which could have resulted in up to 15 years imprisonment. |
| Now, Chileans will be able to able to grow six plants at home, allowing the possession of up to 10 grams (0.35 ounce). | Now, Chileans will be able to able to grow six plants at home, allowing the possession of up to 10 grams (0.35 ounce). |
| Protesters have been marching in Chile's capital, Santiago, calling for the legalisation of cannabis in the country (via MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) Those who voted against the bill on Tuesday criticised the outcome, saying it would only encourage the use of drugs throughout the county – particularly among younger people and students. | |
| If this new bill passes before a health commission and then the Senate, it will also decriminalise recreational use. | If this new bill passes before a health commission and then the Senate, it will also decriminalise recreational use. |
| Communist lawmaker, Karol Cariola, who is a part of President Michelle Bachelet’s leftist coalition, spoke with the press after the vote and said it was important for the country. | Communist lawmaker, Karol Cariola, who is a part of President Michelle Bachelet’s leftist coalition, spoke with the press after the vote and said it was important for the country. |
| Calling it “a historic day for medicinal users,” she added the vote was for those “who wish to stop being persecuted and be able to access a medicine that they can grow in their gardens.” | Calling it “a historic day for medicinal users,” she added the vote was for those “who wish to stop being persecuted and be able to access a medicine that they can grow in their gardens.” |
| So far, on a worldwide scale, Uruguay became the first country in 2013 to create a legal marijuana market and Jamaica followed suit this year too by decriminalising personal use of the drug. | So far, on a worldwide scale, Uruguay became the first country in 2013 to create a legal marijuana market and Jamaica followed suit this year too by decriminalising personal use of the drug. |
| In America, more than 20 states have also relaxed their laws on marijuana being used for personal and medicinal purposes. | In America, more than 20 states have also relaxed their laws on marijuana being used for personal and medicinal purposes. |