August 21, 2013, 11:14 am
Cannabis Country
By DANIEL POLITI
http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/cannabis-country/?ref=paraguay
Cannabis Country
By DANIEL POLITI
http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/cannabis-country/?ref=paraguay
This article is about whether or not Uruguay should legalize Marijuana Growth and sale. The residents of Paraguay are currently allowed to smoke marijuana but not grow or sell it. that means it can only be found on the black market. Now Uruguay seems poised to enact a law that would make it the first country in the world to fully regulate the production, sale and distribution of marijuana. this could effect Paraguay because the black market consists of marijuana grown in Paraguay. this could effect the economy of Paraguay because the Uruguay government wants to use their own private suppliers. According to a poll last month, 63 percent of oppose legalization (down only three percentage points since last year) and 26 percent are for it (just two percentage points more than last year).
I believe it is a bad idea because not only will it diminish part of Paraguay's economy but it could increase the consumption of marijuana, lead to higher drug use in general and turn Uruguay into a destination for drug tourism.
I think that since this can result in Uruguay and Paraguay into a destination for drug tourism, it can influence how the cultures are percieved.