The new government wants to marry the cutting edge with the conservative

When Uruguay became the first country to legalise cannabis two years ago under the leadership of the eccentric former guerrilla, José “Pepe” Mujica, the world took notice of this tiny republic that was once just another province of what is today Argentina.

Marijuana decriminalization and legalization initiatives are not only sweeping through the U.S. — countries across the world are beginning to signal the green light for cannabis policy reform.

Here are 10 countries where lawmakers and public sentiment are changing the tide on cannabis policy.

1. Jamaica

Jamaica — home to the Rastafarian movement — recently joined the list of countries to decriminalize marijuana, and this year it will be hosting the World Cannabis Cup in Negril Nov. 12-15.

Uruguay made history when it legalised the sale of marijuana but its progressive policy has led to distrust and police harrassment.

The South American country became the first ever to legalize the sale of marijuana in May 2014 but regulatory bodies, police and pharmacies have yet to catch up with home growers and their steady clientele

Uruguay’s National Drug Board released a report to the High Commissioner of Human Rights of the United Nations on shifting drug policy toward a human rights perspective.

The initiative [PDF], proposed on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, consists of 10 guidelines. One point decriminalizes drug use and ends the death penalty for it. Another point emphasizes respect for different cultures and plans to reduce drug use.

DENVER, Colo. — It’s been more than 18 months since the tiny South American country of Uruguay legalized the cultivation, taxation and sale of recreational marijuana.

The most striking element of Uruguay’s legislation is that the government has pledged to hire companies to cultivate its own marijuana, which will then be sold to the public in pharmacies.

The government will defend the United Nations (UN) policy to combat drug trafficking. The National Drug Board shall report to the High Commissioner for Human Rights UN in which he defends, among other things, market regulation of marijuana despite repeated criticism from the international organization

"Uruguay has embarked on a different path. And we have not only proposed concrete measures but have also made them effective in a different sense," said the deputy secretary of the Presidency and President of the National Drug Board (JND), Juan Andrés Roballo. "In Uruguay we are watching very closely internationally. And locally we have a special commitment," he added.

The rule legalizing cannabis in Uruguay starts running. While details are being finalized for the state to produce their own marijuana for sale in pharmacies, in recent weeks, the government authorized the legal operation of the first cannabis club in the country.

CNN had access exclusively to the first club to see how it works.

For Martin and Diego growing their own marijuana to smoke in their own club is a dream come true.

"It's a great relief. See it is working and everything is going well not for clubs and growers," says Martin Gaibisso, president of the Club Cannabico El Piso.

His club was the first approved by the Uruguayan authorities, after a year of negotiations and preparations.

The regulation of the production and sale of cannabis in 2013 did not increase the use of this drug in Uruguay, according to a study by the National Drug Board (JND), under the Presidency.

The sixth national survey on drug use in households suggests that 9.3% of the population used marijuana in the last 12 months, compared to 8.3% in 2011, posted the smallest increase in 14 years.

Meanwhile, 6.3% of Uruguayans regular users of cannabis were reported.

According to the conclusions of the JND, "growth in consumption responds to the trend that began in 2001 indicating that the discussion on the regulation did not affect historical consumption patterns."

Recently, Latin America has surprised us with the giant steps taken towards the legalization of cannabis. Jose Mujica opened Pandora's Box and in a time when that regulation was in no man's land, Uruguayan citizens were quick to react and show support for their former president. Thus, and as if it were a domino effect, the voice spread like wildfire. As a result, today, the vast majority of countries in Latin America, are in favor of a real decriminalization of marijuana regulation. This article will discuss the recent news coming from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Uruguay and Ecuador.

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