Jack Davies and Jan De Deken Interview the Man Behind Uruguay's Marijuana Legalization

Junta Nacional de Drogas

Trained as a sociologist, Julio Calzada spent 24 years working with disadvantaged young people in the country's slums. "That they come into contact with cocaine paste while looking for soft drugs is particularly problematic," said Calzada, who is now Secretary-General of Uruguay's National Drug Council, the agency in charge of implementing the country's new marijuana (partial) legalization law, which was passed by the country's Senate on December 10. Jack Davies and Jan De Deken sat down with Calzada to discuss drug policies promises and challenges.