He Institute for Cannabis Regulation and Control (Ircca) is preparing to launch a new variant of cannabis in pharmacies Uruguay call Epsilon, after the success it has had Gamma in sales of this industry throughout the country.
The fourth variant continues in the same vein as its predecessor: it contains a higher concentration of the cannabinoid THC—tetrahydrocannabinol—, so its psychoactive component is stronger than in the case of Alpha and Beta, the alternatives that, until December of last year, Uruguayans could find in the country’s pharmacies. In this way, Epsilon will have levels similar to those of Gamma – equal to or less than 15% THC.
The main difference will be in the overall effect. While Gamma is a hybrid genetic with indica predominance, that is, its general effect is defined as relaxing and calming; Epsilon will have a sativa predominance, so its effect will be psychoactive and energizing characteristics.
This development aims, as happened with the launch of the third variant in December, to continue attracting active consumers to the legal and safe market of cannabis, through alternatives with greater psychoactive exemptions. This demand has been more than proven with the success that Gamma has had and the increase in sales of the cannabis industry throughout the country. And while Epsilon is expected to only be available in the 2024, The authorities aim to continue down the same path.
The debate over cannabis tourism continues
Meanwhile, and as the summer seasonthe debate on the cannabis tourism or the possibility of foreigners accessing marijuana in the country just like residents, remains.
The sale of cannabis in pharmacies It is prohibited for those who are not Uruguayan citizens or have permanent residence in the country, but this does not mean that tourists who, year after year, arrive in the territory, do not consume marijuana. The problem is that they do it in the black market. And in line with the objectives proposed in the cannabis regulation and control law, this is what the government seeks to avoid.
That is why, more than a year ago, the Parliament has in his drawers a bill from the deputy of the Broad Front Eduardo Antonini, which enables “non-residents who are legally within the territory” to access “during the duration of their stay, the mechanisms for the sale of cannabis and its derivatives for personal consumption.”
Beyond some disagreements regarding the name of the project — “Cannabis tourism”, while there are those who consider that cannabis, although open to everyone, should not be promoted as an incentive or tourist product —, several authorities agree with the initiative . Among them, the Minister of Tourism Tabare Viera.
“To the foreign that may be in Uruguay I should spread the word same regulation” than to the Uruguayans. Otherwise, if a visiting consumer comes and cannot buy, they will probably resort to the black market, which is what we want to avoid,” he expressed, in dialogue with El País. In exchange for access, the minister maintains that tourists must also register and have a maximum limit of grams enabled for purchase.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Commission of the Chamber of Deputies that must discuss this project has barely held a meeting so far this year, and despite having summoned authorities to discuss it, the initiative is not moving forward.
In that sense, the contrary position of Town meeting all cannabis regulation is already known —Wilman Caballero is the lobbyist who makes up the Tourism Commission—but to these is also added the rejection of the representative of the Alexandra Inzaurralde National Partywhich is not inclined to approve the initiative, and advocates a deepening of regulation and prevention policies in the local market before thinking about opening it to foreigners.
Source: Ambito
