The IRCCA revealed that almost 6 tonnes were dispensed last year, the highest value since 2017.
Cannabis sales soared in 2023 in Uruguay and reached 5,944 kilos in pharmacies and cannabis clubs regulated by the State, according to data presented in recent days by the Institute for Cannabis Regulation and Control (Ircca).
Despite some problems in the sector, last year 3,258 kilos were dispensed in pharmacy, 83.65% more than the 1,774 kilos of 2022, while in the clubs They totaled 2,686 kilos, an interannual increase of 20.28% compared to 2,222 in 2022.
This milestone of almost six tons represents the maximum figure recorded since the beginning of regulated sales in the country, which began in 2017. According to the Ircca, 15,208 kilos were produced for sale in pharmacies, of which 14,502 were sold, while 9,209 of the 9,666 kilos produced were dispensed in cannabis clubs.
In turn, the report revealed that there are 64,921 Uruguayan citizens registered as buyers of cannabis in the 39 pharmacies attached to the system, while there are 12,007 members of the 345 cannabis clubs and there are 13,487 people registered for home cultivation.
They attribute the increase in sales to the Gamma variant
The institute pointed out in the previous semiannual report that the increase in sales has to do with “the incorporation of a third variety with a greater concentration of THC”, its main psychoactive component, thus referring to the Gamma variant.
The difference is that Gamma, which hit the market at the end of 2022, reaches a THC level “less than or equal to 15%, double compared to Alpha and Beta, which has maximum averages of 6% and 7%, respectively.
This variant reportedly increased new registrations to purchase from pharmacies, as well as the “propensity to purchase from people who were already registered.”
Source: Ambito
