Uruguay pharmacies have been authorized to sell a new strain of cannabis called Epsilon, making it the fourth variant legally available to customers.
According to the daily newspaper La Diaria, the new variant contains less than 20% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and less than 1% cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects in users, meaning that products with a higher ratio of THC to CBD are more likely to produce a more intense psychoactive experience.
The other three variants that are already available for purchase in Uruguayan pharmacies are Gamma, which has THC levels below 9% and CBD levels below 3%, as well as Alpha and Alpha, which have THC levels below 9% and CBD levels below 3%. It's a beta. Less than 15%, CBD level is 1%.
Alpha and Beta, the first two variants sold in Uruguayan pharmacies after marijuana was legalized under former President José Mujica's government in 2013, were considered “low-power” varieties. Since the introduction of the more potent Gamma strain in December 2022, the number of people legally registered to purchase marijuana at dispensaries has increased from 51,249 to 62,288 in less than nine months. Additionally, marijuana sales jumped from 1,774 kilograms in 2022 to 3,258 kilograms in 2023.
The decision was criticized by Guido Manini, presidential candidate, senator and former army commander from the right-wing Cabildo Abierto (Open Cabildo), who posted on X: Impact on users. What else are you going to do to compete with drug traffickers? When do we start educating young people about the harms of drug use?”
The post was in response to a recent video showing long lines outside a dispensary selling marijuana in Montevideo.
However, Daniel Radio, secretary of Uruguay's National Narcotic Commission, likened the marijuana industry to wine production: Make wine, but most people don't do that. Instead, they go to the store and buy. When you stand in front of the shelf, you'll see the choices of Tannat, Cabernet, and Merlot. And they choose. ”
According to the Institute for Cannabis Regulation and Control (IRCCA), sales of the Epsilon strain will initially be limited in quantity, and will be gradually fully introduced to the market. A 5-gram package of Epsilon costs 570 Uruguayan pesos (approximately $13 USD).
In addition to purchasing marijuana at a dispensary, Uruguayan citizens are also legally allowed to grow their own marijuana for personal use or obtain marijuana as members of an officially recognized cannabis production club. It has been. Currently, 71,843 Uruguayan citizens are legally registered to purchase cannabis in pharmacies, 11,708 have permission to grow cannabis at home, and 13,687 are members of cannabis clubs. .
