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Jamaica’s Senate to Approve Measure Decriminalizing Cannabis, Legalizing Medical Cannabis

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015

A proposal to decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis for all adults, and to legalize the medical and religious use of cannabis, will be before the Senate on Friday. The measure, which was approved by the nation’s Cabinet earlier this week, will be approved quickly in the Senate, according to United Press International.

The proposal would decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, making it a ticketable, not an arrestable offense, and would establish a cannabis licensing authority to establish regulations for the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis for medical, scientific and religious purposes.

Jamaica’s Cabinet Approves Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession, Legalize Medical Cannabis

January 22, 2015January 21, 2015

Jamaica’s Cabinet has given official approval to a comprehensive proposal that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis while also legalizing medical cannabis and establishing a medical cannabis industry, according to Justice Minister Mark Golding. The proposal is expected to be before the Senate by the end of the week.

According to Golding, the proposal would establish a “cannabis licensing authority” to deal with the various regulations required to cultivate, produce and distribute cannabis for medical, scientific and religious purposes. The measure would also remove criminal penalties for the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, making it a simple ticket rather than an arrestable offense.

Jamaica Moving Forward With Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis

September 15, 2014September 14, 2014

Justice Minister Mark Golding says Jamaica’s Cabinet has approved a plan to decriminalize cannabis, and legislators are expected to approve it before the end of the year.

Approval by the nation’s Cabinet is the first major step towards the decriminalization bill becoming law, as it put it’s before the Legislature. If approved by the Legislature, as expected, it will go to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who has proposed decriminalizing cannabis in the past as a way of unclogging courts.

Jamaica Lawmakers to Soon Discuss Legislation to Expunge Past Cannabis Possession Convictions

September 19, 2013September 19, 2013

Lawmakers in Jamaica will soon begin discussing a measure which will automatically expunge cannabis possession (and consumption) charges from the record’s of those in the nation who have been hit with such charges.

“I brought a submission to Cabinet seeking approval of amendments to the criminal records expungement legislation to provide for (among other things) the automatic expungement of criminal records for convictions for possession of small quantities (or smoking) of ganja”, says the nation’s Justice Minister Mark Golding, “Cabinet approved that submission and drafting instructions were then issued to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for the bill to be prepared”.