Uruguay

Uruguay's legal cannabis system is restricted to citizens and permanent residents only; tourists may not legally purchase or consume marijuana and risk arrest and prosecution.

Arrest and prosecution possible.

Cannabis is legal in Uruguay, but only for Uruguayan citizens and accredited permanent residents who register with the state regulator IRCCA, so a tourist has no lawful way to buy it. All three legal routes -- pharmacy sales, cannabis membership clubs and home growing -- require Uruguayan citizenship or permanent residence plus registration. Uruguayan law treats up to 40 grams as a personal-consumption quantity exempt from criminal liability, but buying outside the legal system, supplying others or carrying cannabis across a border falls under a trafficking article carrying 2 to 12 years in prison.

Importing, exporting, distributing, transporting, supplying or holding cannabis other than for personal consumption, without legal authorisation: 2 to 12 years' penitentiary, rising to 3 to 12 years where committed by an organised criminal group (Decreto-Ley 14.294 art. 31). Unauthorised production of psychoactive cannabis: 20 months to 10 years (art. 30). Taking cannabis out of the country is covered by the same export offence.

There is no restriction on the types of medication you may bring into Uruguay for personal use, but carry it in its original packaging with your doctor's prescription and bring enough for your whole stay.

You may carry up to USD 10,000 in or out of Uruguay without declaring it; any greater amount must be declared to Uruguay's customs authorities.

Uruguayan customs strictly regulate bringing in precious jewels, gold, firearms, pornography, flammable articles, acids, prohibited drugs, plants, seeds, foodstuffs, antiquities and business equipment, though tourists may import personal effects duty-free.

Travellers bringing commercial goods must declare them at the port of entry or face possible detention, seizure of the goods and criminal charges.

Uruguay enforces a zero blood-alcohol limit: if you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system you can be fined, have your licence suspended or face imprisonment.

A fine and possible imprisonment, a driving suspension or a community work order; you will also be fined if found driving under the influence of drugs.

A foreign photocard driving licence is valid in Uruguay for your first 90 days (after that you must get a Uruguayan licence), and the law requires seat belts front and back, a first aid kit in the car, and dipped headlights during the day.

After 90 days you must hold a Uruguayan driving licence.

Same-sex marriage and civil unions are legal in Uruguay, anti-discrimination laws apply, and hostility or discrimination towards LGBT+ visitors is rare.