The legalization of cannabis in Uruguay. The implementation issues of an original and controversial reform

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the production and supply of cannabis. The framework established by Law no. 19.172 attempts to regulate the cannabis market and find an alternative to the war on drugs, directly conflicting with international drug conventions. This contribution describes the construction and implementation of this original cannabis legislation, focused on prudence and guarantees of reliability so as to counter criticism from public opinion, other states, and the international authorities. It shows how the rollout of this pioneering reform, proceeding with caution, has created the conditions of its own powerlessness. The delays and postponements in the implementation process have alienated its early supporters, challenging the legitimization of the reform eight years after it was passed.