Brazil Launched The First Cannabis Expo

SAO PAOLO – The huge marijuana fair opened its first international edition in Sao Paulo, complete with DJs, guest speakers, myriad pot products and a large outdoor space packed with hundreds of visitors, Where those smoking it at the fair likely purchased it illegally, but authorities appeared willing to turn a blind eye.

Larissa Uchida, Organizer stated that they expected 20,000 people to attend the three-day event, which aims to showcase cannabis in its many uses, and not just recreational and medicinal, as the event respected Brazilian legislation, with vendors selling cannabis accessories, extracts and derivatives but not the actual bud or drug

“We want to show the public all the plant’s capabilities. We’re not just talking about the pharmaceutical industry. The plant can also work in the food and beverage industry, the construction industry, the textile industry and biofuels,” Larissa told AFP.

The event in neighboring Brazil comes as the Latin American economic powerhouse re-evaluates its own prohibitionist drug laws. Brazil’s Supreme Court is currently hearing a case that could decriminalize small-scale possession and use of cannabis and certain other drugs in the nation of 203 million people. Five of the court’s 11 justices have so far ruled for decriminalizing marijuana for personal use, just one vote short of the majority needed.

Gabriel Vieira, an exhibitor at the fair, called for Brazil to join the growing number of countries that have partially or fully legalized cannabis.

“We have to see the truth: there are a lot of people who consume it, whether it’s medicinal or recreational. I think we need to follow in the footsteps of countries like Germany, the United States,” said Vieira.

Picture origin at : AFP, Midianinja, APIPE, Ahram and Weederia