Uruguayans are known in South America as the most obsessive yerba mate drinkers. They drink the tea at work, on the beach and while driving or commuting. This tea is relatively big business in the small country, and recent legislation has created an opening to boost the beverage in the marketplace. 

Uruguay sells more than three million kilograms of yerba mate every year, that’s almost a kilogram per person in this small country. And soon a new flavor will be on the market. With over three decades in the business, La Abuelita has just one percent of the market share in Uruguay. Manager Pablo Riverio is hoping its new line of cannabis yerba mate will bump that up to nearly 10 percent. 

In the past few years, Uruguay has made international news for enacting a series of policies -- from legalizing abortion and same sex marriage to decriminalizing marijuana. And starting in July, a new phase of the cannabis legislation will go into effect.

Uruguayans already can grow up to six plants at home. In the coming months, they will be able to buy cannabis from pharmacies after registering.

At the recently opened museum in Montevideo, Eduardo Blasina welcomed the new line of mate. His museum shows the numerous uses of marijuana, and he hopes the legislation makes Uruguay a hub of scientific research into medicinal cannabis use.

“We think that Uruguay should be a leader: a leader in research, a leader in production and a leader in exports. We think that is a big economic opportunity and a big ethical responsibility that Uruguay can have,” Blasina said. 

Neighbors Chile and Argentina have legalized medicinal use of cannabis, but neither country has extended legalisation as far as Uruguay has -- soon you'll be able to drink it in your tea.