Social impact of legalization of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) in Uruguay

Abstract

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multi-purpose plant, the psychoactive is the most diversified and globalized. In Uruguay this drug was legalized, the objective of this investigation was to know the impact of its legalization. Questionnaires were applied in six municipalities. It was found that the drug causes multiple effects, a third of Uruguayans tested it at least once, the access channels to the drug are informal, although legal means reach a third of the total. Three-quarters of the population does not know the purpose of the law, so its quantitative assessment on a 1-10 scale is unfavorable (4.3). In addition, they think that it leads to the consumption of other drugs and that it affects work, study and social life. The consumption is independent of the economic. Half of the interviewees believe that the law attracts cannabis tourism.