The country also has plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.Â
Jamaica may soon legalize medical marijuana and decriminalize marijuana use, according to the Jamaica Observer and Jamaica Information Service (JIS) of the Government of Jamaica. The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 was approved Monday by the Cabinet, is expected to be tabled in the Senate Friday, Jan. 23, and slated for discussion in the Senate Jan. 30.
The Act would establish a Cannabis Licensing Authority to oversee the proposed medicinal marijuana industry. It also would decriminalize marijuana, making possession of two ounces or less a ticketable, non-criminal offense.
According to the JIS, the Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said during a Jamaica House media briefing on Jan. 21, “The Cannabis Licensing Authority will, with the approval of the Minister responsible for Justice, make regulations treating with (among other things) procedures and criteria for applying for and retention of licenses, permits and other authorizations for cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and other handling of ganja for medicinal, scientific and therapeutic purposes." Provisions for industrial hemp are included in the Act.
The Act is far more liberal than most in regards to establishing a "medical" marijuana program, and even references use for religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes. "The changes will also enable the use of ganja in religious engagements by stakeholders, such as Rastafarians," reports the JIS.
Ganja, as it is referred to by Senator Golding and by the JIS, will not be allowed to be smoked in public.
