Radhamés de la Rosa, the executive director of Casa Abierta, an institution that helps those with drug addiction problems to recover, has proposed that the consumption of marijuana in the Dominican Republic be legalized. He cited the example of Uruguay, where marijuana has been legalized since 1974 and the consumption and production are controlled by the state. He said that before then, the marijuana consumer spent around US$10 a month on the drug but now that has been reduced to US$1.50, including a tax to the government.
He went on to say that currently government policies have led to the clandestine use of the drug. He maintained that marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs that are authorized, regulated and provide taxation income, such as alcohol and tobacco products.
Julio Díaz Capellán, director of Hogares Crea, another drug addict rehabilitation center, rejects that the Dominican Republic copy the Uruguayan model where the state controls the marketing, production and manufacturing of marijuana be applied here. He said here the state has not been able to control the clandestine markets of already accepted vices, such as alcohol and cigarettes. He rejected the recreational use of marijuana. Nevertheless, he approves the medicinal use of the plant.
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Al Momento
El Caribe
28 August 2018
