International Cannabis Corp and SIMbiosys harvested the first legal marijuana crops in Uruguay earlier this week, reaping about 300 grams each, which will be sold at licensed pharmacies in the South American nation, according to a report from High Times.
The plants were planted in February in the companies’ facilities in Montevideo under the authority of the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis. It is estimated that the initial cultivation process, including drying, manicuring and packing, will conclude by August. Uruguayans will then be able to buy up to 40 grams per month at a set price of one euro or $1.20 per gram. In addition to the Montevideo-metropolitan-area pharmacies – which will be closely monitored – 3,000 people have been registered as individual growers and 15 cannabis clubs will be permitted to grow up to 99 plants each.
Under the law, manufacturers cannot brand their strains or products and all advertising is banned. Tourists are also barred from purchasing cannabis at the retail locations. The drug will be sold at the pharmacies in packets of five or 10 grams and the stock will be renewed every 15 days.
The Uruguay Medical Union is also developing a model for cannabis therapies.