The government in Uruguay has broken new ground recently by decriminalising the cultivation and sale of cannabis. Users may buy up to 40g per month, and possess up to 6 plants of their own.
It takes a brave and progressive government to take such measures. The usual naysayers have been weighing in with their usual diatribe. They feel that it is a very dangerous ruling. I see their point as it may lead to an initial increase in usage of the drug. However, I feel that the complete opposite will happen in the long term. The problem with the illegal drugs 'industry' is that it is unregulated. By bringing cannabis under government control has several benefits. The production of the drug can be controlled and made as safe as possible. They can carry a government warning and an advised dosage. From a financial standpoint, a large amount of money can be gained through tax revenue. At the moment the drug lords do not care what kind of rubbish they are putting into their product, but if it was brought under government control this dangerous aspect would be eradicated.
The naysayers will raise the idea that if it is legal, everyone will be taking cannabis. Well, cigarettes are legal, and does everyone smoke? No. Alcohol is legal, but are we a world of alcoholics rolling around the streets absolutely pissed out of our faces? No. The only difference between drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin, and cigarettes and alcohol, is that the latter are legal and controlled. Governments must trust their populations to make their own decisions. People usually make the correct decisions regarding their own life. The few who don't always attract the publicity, making the situation seem worse than it is. If all drugs were legalised, governments could bring them under their control, make them safer, collect enormous tax revenues, and eradicate the drug dealers. The vast majority of people wouldn't automatically try heroin or cocaine just because it was legal. I certainly wouldn't.
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