by thenewgreen

AFTER more than a year’s public deliberation and a 14-hour parliamentary debate, on July 31st Uruguay took a big step to becoming the first country in the world to legalise marijuana (cannabis). The lower house of Congress voted on party lines, by 50 to 46, to approve a bill from the left-wing Broad Front government to legalise and regulate the production and sale of the drug. This is now expected to be approved by the Senate, where the Broad Front has a larger majority. If so, Uruguayans will be able to consume marijuana by growing up to six plants at home, by joining a club or by buying up to 40 grams (1.4 ounces) a month from licensed pharmacies.