Uruguay Legalizes Cannabis with National Model to Curb Crime

Uruguay pioneered global cannabis legalization in 2013 by fully legalizing marijuana for adult use and establishing a government agency, IRCCA, to regulate cultivation, sales, and consumption with a focus on public health and social policy rather than profit. In New York, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently awarded $5 million from cannabis tax revenues to 50 youth-focused nonprofits aimed at restorative justice for communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis enforcement, while also recalling products from a processor accused of regulatory violations. In Europe, Austria hosted a specialized masterclass on cannabis propagation techniques, highlighting the importance of standardized cloning processes to improve production efficiency and quality. Across the border in Canada, rigid regulations strictly govern the import and export of cannabis products, permitting only medical, scientific, or industrial hemp purposes with strict licensing and permitting requirements, underscoring the legal complexities in cross-border cannabis transport.