MONTEVIDEO — Uruguay on Wednesday became the first country to fully legalize the production, sale and consumption of marijuana. Sales of pot for recreational use began in 16 selected pharmacies across the country. They will be able to buy marijuana for US$1.3 per gram — less than the street price charged by illegal dealers — after identifying themselves by fingerprint. The measure is the final stage of the process to legalize marijuana in Uruguay, which began in 2013 under the presidency of former guerrilla fighter Jose Mujica. In contrast with the Netherlands, where the sale of marijuana is tolerated in private businesses known as "coffee shops," Uruguayan laws also regulate the drug's production, and tourists will not be able to buy marijuana.

Source: The China Post July 20, 2017 05:48 UTC