Jamaica’s Legislature Approves Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession and Cultivation, Legalize it For Medical, Scientific and Therapeutic Purposes
Jamaica’s lower
House gave approval Tuesday night to legislation that would decriminalize cannabis possession and cultivation, and legalize cannabis for medical, scientific and therapeutic purposes.
The measure has already been approved by the full Senate, meaning it will now head to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who is supportive of the measure and is expected to quickly sign it into law.
Under the approved law, the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, and the private cultivation of up to five cannabis plants, will no longer be an arrestable, criminal offense, but instead would become a simple ticket. The proposal would also establish a cannabis licensing authority to establish regulations for the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis for medical, scientific and religious purposes.
With the passage of this new law, Jamaica joins Uruguay as the only nations in the world to legalize cannabis for non-medical use.
– TheJointBlog