Uruguay May Allow Cannabis Sales to Tourists
Eduardo Antonini, a member of Uruguay’s Broad Front political party, has introduced a bill that would allow the sale of recreational cannabis to tourists. The proposal aims to boost the country’s cannabis industry and overall economy.
Tour Operators Could Open Cannabis Clubs
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis. However, only Uruguayan citizens and foreign residents with official status have been allowed to purchase cannabis from licensed retailers. As a result, thousands of tourists who visit Uruguay each year cannot legally buy cannabis and often turn to the black market.
Antonini believes that foreign visitors have been unfairly excluded from the legal cannabis market and proposes lifting the ban on sales to non-residents. In addition to removing restrictions on cannabis sales, the bill would allow Uruguayan tourism companies to open their own cannabis clubs or register with existing organizations. This would give tourists the opportunity to purchase cannabis directly from tour operators—a service likely to appeal to those vacationing by the ocean who prefer not to leave their hotels to buy cannabis.
Industry Support and Legislative Process
The bill was developed with input from cannabis growers, owners of cannabis clubs, shops, and pharmacies that sell cannabinoid-based medicines. Antonini’s initiative has received support from his colleagues in the Broad Front, so the proposal will be considered in Parliament. In the near future, supporters of the reform plan to meet with Daniel Radio, President of the National Drug Board, to discuss details and potential amendments.
Uruguay’s Potential Cannabis Tourism Revenue
Recreational cannabis sales officially began in Uruguay in June 2017. In the first three years, local companies sold only 4 tons of cannabis, generating $5 million in revenue. By comparison, Canada’s cannabis industry sold at least 600 tons in its first three years, earning $6 billion. Adjusted for population differences, Uruguayan cannabis firms earned 110 times less than their Canadian counterparts.
According to Forbes, cannabis tourism generated $17.1 billion in revenue for U.S. businesses in 2021. Of this, $4.5 billion came from cannabinoid product sales, while the remaining $12.6 billion was spent in hotels, shops, and restaurants. In the Netherlands, tourists buy at least 269 tons of cannabis annually in coffee shops, spending at least €1.6 billion. Given these statistics, it’s clear that Uruguay could significantly benefit from developing cannabis tourism.