Uruguay becomes first nation to legalise marijuana trade
Source: BBC News
Uruguay has become the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana.
After nearly 12 hours of debate, senators gave the government-sponsored bill their historic final approval.
The law allowing registered Uruguayans over 18 to buy up to 40g (1,4oz) of the drug a month is not expected to come into force before April.
The government hopes it will help tackle drug cartels, but critics say it will expose more people to drugs.
Dozens of supporters of the bill proposed by the left-wing President Jose Mujica gathered outside the Congress in Montevideo to follow the vote.