Free Alicia Castilla, Uruguay on the way to legalize cannabis

Uruguay has one of the best drug policy in the continent. In Uruguay, the law does not criminalize the use of 
drugs or their possession for  personal consumption. Additionally, in recent years, national drug  policies have 
prioritized the pursuit of medium and large dealers, instead of focusing resources and energy in small vendors, 
who are  easily replaced. Over the past decade till present day, Uruguay shows a tolerant and open mind 
criteria as far as marijuana is concerned. Anyway, there is a legal vacuum in this matter. The law allows legal 
possession of a reasonable amount for personal consumption which is estimated by the judge’s discretion, 
but does not specify the origin of  the “reasonable amount”. This has meant that since 2007 the pro 
cannabis activist groups get together and initiate discussions with the authorities to achieve the legalization 
of self-cultivation of cannabis. Last January the Judge of Atlantida (small resort near capital city Montevideo) 
Adriana Aziz, imprisoned Alicia Castilla a 66 year old  activist, author of 2 books, Cannabis Culture and 
Cannabis Growing, who  annually publishes a Biodynamic Almanac for marijuana growing. With their perverse 
interpretation of this law judges punish self supplied users, promoting with this the drug trade. While 
cultivation is prohibited in the art. 3 of Law 14.294 on the same bill in the art. 31 enshrines the right to a 
“reasonable” amount for personal consumption. It would be illogical to think then that this amount has to 
come  prepared and be purchased from a dealer and can not come in the form of a plant and be cultivated 
by the user, thus breaking their link with  drug trafficking. Against this interpretation by judges of the law 
and demanding the  legalization of self-cultivation, and the release of Castilla and another 350 consumers 
Uruguayan activists convened a demonstration outside the Supreme Court on Thursday February 24 /2011
After the demonstration, in a statement to the press spokesman of the Supreme Court Raul Oxandabarat 
recognized the existing of a legal  vacuum. While the secretary of the National Drug Agency (Drug Czar) 
Milton Romani expressed to the facts as follows: “It seems not prudent and  discredits drug policy that 66 
year old woman, clearly not a danger to  public safety, is in prison. There are other judges who have acted 
with  other approaches to similar cases, compared Romani. In his view, the  Uruguayan political system has 
not been able to schedule these issues  “in all its complexity.” “We always respond to the problem, the problem  
now is an unfair situation, well then take advantage of that to legislate” he suggested. “We estimate that there 
are 350 people in Uruguayan prisons for small amounts of marijuana, which can be for consumption or retail. 
Speaking of drug dealers with this amount is nonsense and the law has to consider these situations, involving 
mainly people under 35 who can not afford a lawyer, “said government deputy Sebastian Sabini (Area 609). 
Echoing the popular demand, Sabini prepared a bill to legalize marijuana self-cultivation (amending Article 31 
of Law 17.016, establishing a  maximum size of 25 grams carrying and eight female plants per home), but he 
also plans to push other attending the situation of those already detained. The deputy questioned the existing 
legislation at the  discretion of the presiding judge to decide whether the amount of  marijuana a person at 
the time of his arrest is for personal use or to  sell. According to the legislature, most of the defendants went 
to  prison for having about 20 grams of marijuana. “That clearly is for personal use,” said deputy majority 
sector of the left coalition in government. The release of these prisoners would also help reduce prison 
overcrowding, a major concern of the authorities. The full discussion of  this amnesty will then be resolved in 
Parliament after the issue of  legalization. Members Nicolás Núñez (PS), Sebastian Sabini (MPP), Fernando 
Amado (Colorado Party) and Daniel Radius (Independent Party) are willing to push the proposal within their 
respective parties. In recent days, at the request of Congressman Amado, recent changes were made to the 
text. In the article that enabled “personal” self-cultivation, the concept “and domestic” was added, which 
allows to  envision situations where the homeowner wants to share their cannabis with other people. 
Members also added a permit to produce industrial hemp, which is currently prohibited because it is a 
variety of cannabis. Hemp is used to produce fibers which can be used by the textile industry and pulp.
Uruguay is currently in an excellent position to pass a law authorizing the self-cultivation of Cannabis, 
and industrial hemp, for that to be possible is necessary to promote a campaign to inform the public opinion 
of the profitability of this change. That is why we request your support for our campaign.

Donate for Alicia's legal fees

 


Alicia Castilla Letter

From within a Uruguayan prison.

Taking advantage of the opportunity that activist friends gave me to spread this text on the web, 
I will try in a few lines to describe the incredible experience that I am involved in Uruguay.
Some of you will know that I am the author of Cannabis Culture, Cannabis Growing and the 
Biodynamic almanac for marijuana cultivation published annually. Obviously, I consume and 
grow for myself I'm Argentinian, in November 2010 bought a house in the Uruguayan seashore, 
with the intention of having a peaceful place to spend my old age.
In December 2010, out of time as in the southern hemisphere cannabis is sown in September, 
I started a small grow.
In January 2011, due to the claim of Gonzalo B., Spanish grower, the Uruguayan police raided 
my house and found 29 thirty days old not sexed seedlings ,
I thought I would be processed. It was not just that. After being subjected to taunts and 
various forms of abuse I was imprisoned. The word "jail" can sound in different ways depending 
on the country who read these lines.
But few can imagine the level of squalor, violence, dirt from the prison of Canelones.
Rats everywhere, cockroaches in the beds, lice, etc.
The inmates, crack users, crack dealers, drug traffickers of all kinds, robbers, murderers, etc.etc.
When you get there you can not understand what is goin on.
In spite of horror, something unimaginable for me happened: the Uruguayan press and public opinion 
were echoed of my situation.Uruguayan society has been discussing for weeks the importance of marijuana 
self-cultivation decriminalization Activist groups were convened before the Supreme Court of Justice to 
demand the legalization of self-cultivation and my freedom.
The Uruguayan Parliament discusses 2 different projects and there is consensus that at least one of them will 
be sent to the Congress. The adoption of the law would be accompanied by an amnesty for the 350 people 
who are currently imprisoned in the same cramped conditions I described.
The consciousness of being the pivot of a social movement that can get the first decriminalization worldwide 
makes possible my survival in this branch of hell. On behalf of this movement is that I echo the request for 
financial assistance. Uruguayan cannabis activists like many idealists "bought" this struggle not only to help 
me and all the 350 prisoners but also to show the world that we can stop the hypocrisy that "it is allowed to 
consume but not to plant. "On behalf of all and myself I agree to the request for funds.
Lets go for it! Alicia Castilla. 22/03/2011