Uruguay’s national marijuana program safe after runoff election

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Tabare Vazquez’s victory in Uruguay’s presidential election is a show of support for the leftist coalition that has governed the country for the past decade and allows the government to proceed with its plan to create the world’s first state-run marijuana marketplace.

Vazquez, a 74-year-old oncologist who was president from 2005 to 2010, topped center-right rival Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party 53 percent to 40 percent in Sunday’s vote.

The runoff vote drew international attention after Lacalle Pou promised to undo much of the pioneering plan to put the government in charge of regulating the production, nationwide distribution and sale of Uruguay marijuana. Vazquez, meanwhile, said he would proceed with it, unless it produced negative results.

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