The best known case is the Netherlands , where the consumption and purchase of cannabis and its derivatives are allowed in small quantities through coffee shops . But the debate on whether or not to legalize this drug has been very present lately in several countries, such as the United States or Uruguay, which have recently changed their legislation in this regard.
In the US, since January 2014, the sale of Marijuana for recreational use in so -called coffee-shops has been legal, but only in two states, Colorado and Washington, and with certain restrictions. One is a maximum of 28 grams per visit and the other is at least 21 years old to be able to consume in these establishments.
Uruguay, for its part, after a long debate in the chambers on this matter, at the end of 2013 the law that currently allows the sale and consumption of Marijuana was finally sanctioned. The government of the country defends this rule as a blow to drug trafficking and a better regulation of these substances.
Then, we find the countries in which consumption – not trafficking – is decriminalized or, at least, does not entail excessive legal problems. It is the situation that exists, for example, in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
In the United States things are complicated because, although consumption is penalized at the national level, the levels of permissiveness vary according to the state and even the county where one is. Finally, there are countries where smoking marijuana is a felony, with penalties ranging from loss of freedom to being forced to undergo detoxification therapy. This is the case of Argentina, Chile, Norway, Finland, Sweden or China.
