Chile and Uruguay have taken significant steps recently to advance their particular cannabis markets.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed a decree that licenses the sale of cannabis-derived medicines at pharmacies, and removes marijuana from the country’s list of hard drugs. The decree hasn’t been released formally, but the Associated Press acquired a copy Friday.

Still, the planting, selling and carrying marijuana without a specific medical sanction as part of Chile’s MMJ pilot program continues to be unlawful and carries prison terms of 5-10 years.

Registered Uruguayan consumers will be able to access three types of marijuana in drug stores with high, medium and low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol and correspondent levels of cannabidiol, said Milton Romani, president of the country's national drug office, on Saturday.

“There are three options, depending on the effect of each one ... (we are) trying to recommend the lowest level for beginners,” Romani told Reuters at the 2015 Expocannabis taking place in the country’s capital Montevideo.

Authorities were offered various genetically modified plants with controllable effects within the framework of the recent decriminalization of marijuana aimed at eradicating the illegal commercialization both foreign and domestic.

The document hasn't been published officially but a copy was obtained by the Associated Press last week, the Washington Post reported. The new decree also permits the sale of medicines derived from cannabis at pharmacies.

Map shows most people are seeking treatment for cannabis and opioids. Image / RecoveryBrands

A new drug map built on data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals New Zealand as one of the world's highest cannabis consumers, and the highest country for drug rehabilitation.

A Chilean mother says a hospital is restricting her access to her newborn baby because she said she smoked marijuana.

Sindy Melany Ortiz said she smoked pot for medicinal reasons to alleviate pain in one of her arms.

She says she is not being allowed to breast-feed her daughter and can only see her for two hours a day.

Hospital officials in the southern city of Talcahuano said they were following protocol and the baby was at risk.

“They have violated my rights as a mother,” said Ms Ortiz, “I use this drug only for the pain in my arms, it was recommended by a medical professional to me and I am absolutely not a drug consumer.”

Just as a Washington Post report last week showed Colombia had overtaken Peru in 2014 to once again become the world’s largest coca producer, the Colombian government announced a plan that could turn a different drug into a major (legal) business.

On Thursday, Colombia’s ministers of Agriculture, Health and Justice announced a new decree that would legalize and regulate marijuana for medical use.

It’s a controversial move in a country already known for its illegal drug industry — but the potential economic upsides are significant.

LIMA, Peru — Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is expected to issue a decree legalizing the cultivation, commercialization and research of medical marijuana.

He said he will sign the new measure into law this week, marking a bold departure both for his center right administration and for Colombia, a staunch longtime ally of Washington in the war on drugs.

“It has already been scientifically proven that marijuana has many medicinal attributes,” Santos told the BBC.

More and more tourists are travelling to experience the freedom to try cannabis in tolerant countries

The whiff of weed is spreading across the globe as more countries decriminalise the possession of small quantities of cannabis. The Netherlands has always been the Mecca for those seeking a taste of something illicit but you can now travel further in order to indulge in a spliff or a hash cake.

Colorado, where cannabis was legalised three years ago, is already seeing a big growth in tourism. Tax revenues from the now legalised business are adding to the State’s coffers. Canada’s new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his Liberal party are in favour of legalising marijuana.

BOGOTA—

Colombia said on Friday it plans to legalize medical marijuana in a further shift in drug policy after suspending aerial fumigation of illicit crops.

The government is preparing a decree which would approve the therapeutic use of marijuana, the president's office said in an information sheet, and President Juan Manuel Santos told BBC Mundo the decree would be signed in the coming days.

Growing, distributing and selling cannabis will remain illegal. The South American country suspended spraying of illicit crops this year, citing cancer concerns related to the herbicide glyphosate.

Colombia plans to legalise the cultivation and sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes.