Approximately ten years ago, Uruguay became the first country to legalize the production and sale of marijuana, although regulations for recreational use were implemented starting in 2017. Through two changes in government, first with Tabaré Vázquez and then with Luis Lacalle Pou, the strategy initiated by former President José Mujica has remained unchanged.
Uruguayan example
Of the estimated 250,000 people who consume marijuana in Uruguay, 39% acquire it legally, according to a study by the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA). These individuals are registered in one of three options in the regulated market: purchasing from pharmacies, membership in cannabis clubs, or domestic cultivation. However, this approach only benefits registered users and excludes more disadvantaged sectors that do not register. This has led to the creation of a generation of young people without access to legal marijuana who turn to the black market, raising concerns about their health.
Registration is considered a critical point in the law, and some argue that the regulation is designed for a limited segment of the population. This gap between registered users and the total number of consumers has led to a “gray” market that supplies surplus marijuana production. This market involves individuals who are not necessarily traffickers, such as growers selling cannabis illegally.
A “gray” market sustains marijuana produced legally but sold illegally, even to tourists excluded from legal channels. It was argued that legalization would help combat drug trafficking, but some point out that this does not depend solely on marijuana and must be addressed in a broader regional context.
Uruguay became an exception by legalizing recreational use before medicinal and industrial uses. Cannabis regulation is based on the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its main psychoactive component. Despite having a law in 2019, production and use for medicinal purposes remain incomplete due to bureaucratic obstacles, high licensing costs, and delays in issuance. This has affected industry development and led to a decrease in the number of operational companies.
Currently, Uruguay has maintained its marijuana legalization strategy but faces challenges related to registration, the “gray” market, and the lack of regulation for medicinal and industrial uses. Although legalization has had mixed impacts on drug trafficking, it remains a topic of debate in the region.
Save on favorite brands like Bedford, Aeriz & Nature’s Grace.
The Dispensary Fulton is making the most of March and the new season by offering huge discounts on top brands all month long. For the whole month of March, The Dispensary Fulton customers can enjoy up to 30% off deals on different brands every nearly every day of the week, including:
30% off Bedford Grow on Mondays and Tuesdays.
30% off Aeriz on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
30% off Nature’s Grace on Fridays.
20% off GTI on Fridays and Saturdays.
And those deals are just the beginning! The Dispensary Fulton has impressive discounts on brands like Journeyman, STIIIZY, and Smokiez, with special store BOGOs on top of everyday discounts for veterans and Illinois medical card holders. All listed prices at The Dispensary already include taxes, so you can shop freely without risking sticker-shock. Make sure you stop by The Dispensary Fulton this month to take advantage of these unbelievable savings and make The Dispensary your dispensary.
The Dispensary Fulton is one of Illinois’ leading sources for quality medical and recreational cannabis products. They have been reliably serving the state since late 2014, when they emerged on the scene ready to provide impeccable cannabis products. Their record of excellence has not gone unnoticed—Seed Talent named The Dispensary as their Top Trained Dispensary for Illinois in 2024, a prestigious honor that the team at The Dispensary earned through their tireless devotion to customer service, professionalism and desire to elevate the whole cannabis industry through education.
Their approach has inspired customer loyalty and critical appreciation across the state, and their reputation is only getting better. Stop in and stock up on top quality cannabis today, and experience Seed Talent’s top rated Illinois dispensary for yourself.
Ohioans have some pretty sweet cannabis legalization—if they can keep it.
This March, state herb lovers must activate to defend their hard-fought cannabis freedoms from Republican lawmakers.
Ohioans approved of legalization in November 2023 with a 57% yes vote on Issue 2. However, Republican lawmakers can completely repeal Issue 2, and they’ve started the repeal process this winter.
Email your lawmaker and tell them to “Vote no on Senate Bill 56.” Call, text, and testify if you can.
What’s going on with Ohio legalization repeal in 2025?
Republicans re-criminalizing weed in Senate Bill 56
So far, the state has sold $347 million in legal, taxed grass. Adults age 21 and older can possess and use 2.5 ounces and grow up to 6 plants per person.
Ohio Republicans have one big bill to unwind legalization—Senate Bill 56.
The bill would:
Sicken Ohioans by requiring new, untested chemicals diluting their vapes
Dictate what Ohioans can do in their own backyard
Make it a crime for a husband to give a joint to his wife
Make it a crime to vape on a boat—even as a passenger
SB 56 also contains a gift to the alcohol industry— SB 56 caps dispensaries at just 350. Meanwhile, there are 24,000 active liquor permits in Ohio.
Contact your lawmaker and protect your freedoms. Ohio has over 1 million regular cannabis consumers.
When should I speak up on Ohio’s repeal of legalization?
Ohio Republicans want force dilution of legal vapes with unsafe chemicals. Diluting vape oil sickened more than 2,600 and killed over 50 in 2020. Above, dangerous colorless, odorless diluent vitamin E oil. (Courtesy of CDC)
The time is now.
Stop legalization repeal bill SB 56
Senate Republicans already voted passed SB 56 in late February. It requires new chemicals in your cannabis extracts to dilute them below a 70% THC cap. It’s a pro-cartel bill that hands over the hash market to illegal dealers who will have untaxed, untested, more potent products.
SB 56 went live for debate in the Ohio House on March 3, and it should head to the House Finance Committee. Email them.
Who is trying to trample on cannabis consumers’ rights in Ohio?
The chief Republican pushing pot re-criminalization is Sen. Stephen A. Huffman—who is up for reelection in November 2026. All nine Senate Democrats voted ‘no’ on Huffman’s SB 56.
Legalization is popular—57% of Buckeye voters passed it. Nearly $347 million in legal weed has been sold since August.
Why are lawmakers subverting the people’s will?
Speak up or 7 plants becomes a crime again in Ohio—not even two years after 57% of voters legalized it. (Leafly)
Lawmakers think they know better than the voters who elected them, legalized it with 57% of the vote.
Sen. Huffman has said, “I’m not sure why people voted for [legalization].”
Ohio Republicans opposed legalization in 2023, and pitch partial repeal for “consumer and child safety.”
However, voters approved Issue 2 to increase consumer and child safety. Legal markets tax, test, and regulate cannabis. They check IDs, and use child-safe packaging. Repeal gives a win to street dealers that literally poisoned children.
Why do Ohio’s Republican lawmakers think they know better than their voters?
It’s the same paternalism that drove the drug war in the first place. The party of ‘small government,’ ‘personal responsibility,’ and ‘low regulation’ has taken aim at your backyard, your vape pen, and sharing a joint to your wife.
Over 40 opponents spoke at SB 56’s Senate hearing. Only six spoke in favor of repealing legalization. Republicans advanced repeal anyway.
Can Ohio voters win this year?
Sure.
Voters over in Montana already defeated several bad bills in their state during this legislative cycle. Ditto for South Dakota.
Lawmakers respond to emails, phone calls, text messages, and testimony from constituents. Inboxes flooded with ‘Vote No on SB 56’’ will make them twice.
You can find your Ohio lawmaker on this page.
Keep the message simple: ‘No new taxes and regulations on weed’ and mention you are a constituent. The majority is with you.
Ohio Republicans will keep trying each year to lock people back up for weed. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Up next for Ohio repeal, another Republican reward to street dealers —doubling taxes on legal weed
Separately, Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine plans to abandon the party’s low-tax ethos to double taxes on herb. His proposed state budget raises pot taxes from 10% to 20%.
Ohio House hears the budget this winter as well.
Contact your lawmaker and say ‘no new weed taxes.’ They are a giveaway to the illegal market, which doesn’t pay any taxes.
Thanks to Hemp Gazette for spotting this – I have to admit I missed it and unsurprisingly nobody made me aware of it The Linked in Post from the organisers Some Comments
