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Pharmacies in Uruguay to start selling marijuana next week

First country in the world to legalise and regulate marijuana from production to sale.

URUGUAY WILL ALLOW pharmacies to sell marijuana starting next Wednesday, in the final phase of a law making the small South American country the first in the world to legalise and regulate marijuana from production to sale.

Under legislation approved in 2013, Uruguayans have been allowed to grow their own weed and smoke it in clubs.

But working out a timetable for pharmacies to sell it, the third and last conduit called for in the legislation, proved more tricky. This has now been resolved, the state agency regulating marijuana said in a statement on Friday.

People have to register to buy cannabis in pharmacies, and so far 4,700 have done so, most of them in the 30 to 44 age group, according to government figures. Uruguay’s total population is 3.4 million.

Under the first phase of the 2013 law, more than 6,600 people have registered to grow weed at home, and 51 smokers’ clubs have been authorised.

The state Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCC) has authorised the sale of two types of marijuana, to be sold in packages of five and 10 grams.

Pharmacists say they are not sure how profitable weed sales will be, registered smokers can buy no more than 40 grams a month, at $1.30 a gram, and they have expressed concern about training the employees who will handle the product, and providing security against theft.

There have also been questions about the quality and potency of the officially provided weed, with some saying it is remarkably weak.

Only two companies were authorised to produce marijuana for pharmacies, under military protection, and with no public access.

Government officials insist they will prevent “cannabis tourism”. Only Uruguayans and legal residents will be allowed to partake.

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    Mute David Conroy
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    May 24th 2017, 1:36 PM

    The Restaurant could be completely innocent so naming and shaming might not be a good idea.

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    May 24th 2017, 1:42 PM

    @David Conroy: investigation first, then let loose.

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    Mute Ó Connmhaigh
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    May 24th 2017, 2:11 PM

    It was nothing to do with extra onions and chilli sauce…

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    Mute Naberius
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    May 24th 2017, 2:00 PM

    It’s bizarre that you didn’t mention that this investigation started after a bunch of people became seriously ill and one of them died after a party in the restaurant.

    http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/mother-in-her-50s-dies-after-first-communion-meal-kitchen-of-a-pub-in-north-dublin-shut-down-35749350.html

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    Mute Gareth Cooney
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    May 24th 2017, 2:14 PM

    This article should be removed and rewritten

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    May 24th 2017, 3:44 PM

    @Gareth Cooney: It’s probably the most unprofessional journalism I have ever seen.

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    Mute Dub_Right
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    May 24th 2017, 4:16 PM

    @Fabio Dillon: I think the Journal need to hire new staff with proper qualifications in “Cut and Paste”, as well as the ability to embed tweets and create articles from them….!

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    Mute Oiche Fairy
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    May 24th 2017, 1:43 PM

    They have to prove that the restaurant was responsible for the outbreak and caused the person’s death first.

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    Mute Cathal P Forde
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    May 24th 2017, 1:49 PM

    @Oiche Fairy: Death? It didnt mention someone dying in the article only an outbreak of salmonella poisoning. Do you have info not reported? I know salmonella can be easily letal in the young and elderly.

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    Mute Pete Trevaskis
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    May 24th 2017, 1:58 PM

    @Cathal P Forde: Yes Cathal, it is big news in Swords.

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    Mute John O'Shea
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    May 24th 2017, 1:59 PM
    24
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    Mute Nick Allen
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    May 24th 2017, 3:28 PM

    @Pete Trevaskis:

    in Swords? Is it not in Portmarnock?

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    Mute Cathal P Forde
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    May 24th 2017, 7:44 PM

    @Pete Trevaskis: WOW you think they would have mentioned people having died. I think thats more important than a restauraunt being closed. I feel for the families of those who died and hope they get justice.

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    May 24th 2017, 3:43 PM

    Lads the golf links is not in Skerries. You are paid to write articles. Proof read.

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    Mute Bingobango
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    May 24th 2017, 1:30 PM

    Name agus Shame

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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    May 24th 2017, 1:33 PM

    @Bingobango: they should name and shame.

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    Mute Ricky McCabe
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    May 24th 2017, 3:09 PM

    Agree totally David C , as a chef im sure nobody got up one morning to cause anyone any harm, tragic for everyone involved, RIP That lady

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    Mute Ricky McCabe
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    May 24th 2017, 10:17 PM

    @Fabio Dillon: Undercook white meat , i have heard no results announced by the EHO …unless you have information that is not public yet , as i said , no chef gets up in the morning to do anyone any harm as much as no one gets up to cause a car crash , im 35 years a chef and its the first time iv seen a food premises close ..i know it happens , the pub in question as far as i know has always had an excellent reputation for their food …

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    Mute Gareth Cooney
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    May 24th 2017, 1:30 PM

    Skitt was Scat around North Dublin but they didn’t tell us where???

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    Mute mark kenny
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    May 24th 2017, 3:23 PM

    My poor Mam suffered a bad bout of food poisoning the morning after visiting one of the Chinese buffets in the north inner city a few weeks back.We both ate mostly the same stuff except she had the chicken curry which i avoided.

    She was very ill for most of the next day.I heard a few stories about these buffets but i’ve never had a problem myself.I dont think my mam will be rushing for one of them any time soon.

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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    May 24th 2017, 10:50 PM

    @mark kenny: how do you eat that crap in the first place

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    Mute Tony Ruth
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    May 24th 2017, 6:45 PM

    A friend of mine has died after eating there

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    Mute Alison Maguire
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    May 24th 2017, 8:16 PM

    @Tony Ruth: very sorry about your friend may she rest in peace

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    May 24th 2017, 3:58 PM

    So is this in Skerries or Portmarnock?

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    Mute Martin MB Byrne
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    May 24th 2017, 4:14 PM

    @Rui Firmino: The Widows in Portmarnock

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    Mute Martin MB Byrne
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    May 24th 2017, 4:15 PM

    @Rui Firmino: Portmarnock

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    May 24th 2017, 4:24 PM

    @Martin MB Byrne: Why do they say it’s in Strand Road Skerries in the article then?

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    May 24th 2017, 4:25 PM

    @Rui Firmino: never mind, they changed it now

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    Mute Vincent Duff
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    May 24th 2017, 2:15 PM

    They should have Gordon Ramsey on the case. Why don’t you give out the name of the restaurant?

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    Mute Pete Trevaskis
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    May 24th 2017, 2:36 PM

    @Vincent Duff: Probably legal reasons. Apparently the venue uses outside catering firm. But it is named in the commons on Lovin’ Dublin – https://lovindublin.com/news/north-dublin-pub-investigated-after-mother-died-of-suspected-food-poisoning-at-first-communion-meal

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    Mute Rockhopper617
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    May 24th 2017, 2:52 PM

    Burn it. Burn it all.

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