Uruguay

Overview of drug laws and legislative trends in Uruguay

Trend

Uruguay is one of the few countries that never criminalized the possession of drugs for personal use. Since 1974, the law establishes no quantity limits, leaving it to the judge’s discretion to determine whether the intent was personal use. There are no sanctions at all once it is determined by the judge that the amount in possession was meant for personal use.

Law

Law decree N° 14.294, Art. 31: “Whoever is in possession of a minimal quantity, destined for personal consumption, will be exempted from punishment.”

The phrasing of the 1974 article was updated in 1998 to:

“Whoever is in possession of a reasonable quantity exclusively destined for personal consumption-- as morally determined by the Judge, who would have to include his reasoning for such ruling in the sentence-- will be exempted from punishment.”

Drug Laws and Prisons in Uruguay

Uruguay has one of the most advanced drug policies on the continent. In Uruguay, the law does not criminalize drug use or possession of drugs for personal use. In addition, in recent years its national drug policies have prioritized the prosecution of medium and large-scale traffickers rather than focusing resources and energy on small-time dealers who are easily replaced. This country study examines the scope of the legislation, the policies developed and how the normative and policy frameworks find expression in Uruguay’s prison system, with a special focus on the population incarcerated for drug-related offenses.

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'Paco' Under Scrutiny

Based on two studies carried out in the cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, this report examines the origin, characteristics and impact of the explosive increase in cocaine base paste in urban areas. It also highlights the variety of products consumed in these cities and the substance known as crack that is consumed in Brazilian cities. The Brazilian experience with this consumption could serve as an example and a lesson for the Southern Cone.

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