Pot Companies Are Fleeing the First Nation to Legalize Marijuana
- Uruguay exports less than $30 million despite $1 billion hopes
- Sector employs 750 people after predictions of thousands
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Uruguay led the world in legalizing marijuana a decade ago, but its dream of building a medical cannabis and hemp powerhouse employing thousands of people with $1 billion in exports is facing a harsh reality check.
Shipments abroad have totaled less than $30 million since 2018 as anemic sales, red tape and miscalculations now fuel a business exodus. Uruguay’s abysmal experience, including just 750 jobs, exemplifies challenges investors face globally in building out an industry subject to intense regulatory scrutiny or outright bans in many places.