Uruguay's Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) is evaluating the implementation of mechanisms that would allow legal access to regulated marijuana for non-resident foreigners, including tourists, students, and temporary workers , with the aim of expanding the user base and reducing reliance on the illegal market.
The executive director of IRCCA, Martín Rodríguez, explained that regulatory modifications are being analyzed so that foreigners who visit the country temporarily —for vacation, work or study— can acquire cannabis under conditions of safety and control similar to those of permanent residents or registered Uruguayan citizens.
"We understand that it is necessary for foreigners visiting the country who do not have residency to have access to cannabis under similar conditions of safety and control," Rodríguez stated. Currently, Law 19.172 of 2013, which regulates the cannabis market for adult use in Uruguay, establishes three exclusive access routes: home cultivation (up to six plants per household), membership in cannabis clubs , or purchase at authorized pharmacies.
Users must register with IRCCA and can only purchase up to 40 grams per month of the available varieties (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Epsilon), with prices ranging from 485 to 615 Uruguayan pesos per 5-gram package after the last adjustment in February 2026. Current regulations exclude non-permanent residents from these channels, forcing many visitors to resort to the informal market.
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