International
'Pepe' Mujica, former president of Uruguay and the first in the world to fully legalize cannabis, has died
José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, passed away today at the age of 89, leaving a unique legacy as the first head of state to legalize recreational cannabis, in 2013. The news was reported by journalist Javier Hasse, in Forbes. The pioneering policy of 'Pepe' Mujica, as he was known, transformed Uruguay into the first country in the world to regulate the production and sale of the plant, defying international conventions and influencing the global debate on drug policy.
In 2013, during his presidential term, Mujica led the approval of the 19.172 Law, which legalized cannabis in Uruguay. The legislation allowed for home cultivation, the creation of cannabis clubs, and sales in state-controlled pharmacies. Mujica argued that legalization was a necessary response to the failure of the war on drugs and a strategy to combat drug trafficking, stating: “Someone has to be the first in Latin America. Someone has to be the first, because we are losing the battle against drugs and crime on the continent,” he quotes. Forbes.
The decision faced strong resistance, both domestically and internationally. Many critics feared that the measure would increase consumption, especially among young people. Mujica, however, argued that regulating the market offered more control, transparency and security, and that prohibition only fueled trafficking. His model was designed to keep young people away from the illegal market, without encouraging consumption of the substance.
The Uruguayan model stood out for its rigor and state control. Citizens could purchase up to 10 grams per week from licensed pharmacies, subject to prior registration. In addition, cultivation clubs and home cultivation were authorized, offering legal alternatives to the illicit market. The strategy had a direct impact on reducing the power of drug trafficking and changing perceptions regarding drug policy.
Mujica’s boldness inspired other countries, such as Canada and Malta, to rethink their policies. His leadership demonstrated that alternative solutions to prohibition, focused on public health and harm reduction, are possible. Much more than the legalization of cannabis, José Mujica will be remembered for his simple lifestyle, his commitment to social justice and his courage to challenge global taboos in the name of a more humane future.
Pepe Mujica discussed the legalization of cannabis, his disputes with banks and how other countries were trying to solve this problem in a recording for Expo Cannabis Uruguay, in 2017. You can watch that video here:
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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With a degree in Journalism from the University of Coimbra, Laura Ramos has a postgraduate degree in Photography and has been a Journalist since 1998. Winner of the Business of Cannabis Awards in the category "Journalist of the Year 2024", Laura was a correspondent for Jornal de Notícias in Rome, Italy, and Press Officer in the Office of the Minister of Education of the 21st Portuguese Government. She has an international certification in Permaculture (PDC) and created the street-art photography archive “Say What? Lisbon” @saywhatlisbon. Co-founder and Editor of CannaReporter® and coordinator of PTMC - Portugal Medical Cannabis, Laura directed the documentary “Pacientes” and was part of the steering group of the first Postgraduate Course in GxP's for Medicinal Cannabis in Portugal, in partnership with the Military Laboratory and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
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