For an island known for its marijuana and Rastafarian culture, it was a bit perplexing to many tourists that the green is illegal in Jamaica. But the government is proposing to lift marijuana restrictions in Jamaica, decriminalizing small amounts of pot. The new legislation will allow legal marijuana possession for religious, scientific, and medical purposes.
Justice Minister Mark Golding said the Cabinet is supporting a proposal to make possession of no more than two ounces of marijuana, locally referred to as ganja, a petty offense that would result in a fine, but not a criminal arrest. Under the current law, approximately 300 young men receive criminal records a week for a small possession of marijuana.
But tourists shouldn’t rejoice just yet …
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“I wish to stress that the proposed changes to the law are not intended to promote or give a stamp of approval to the use of ganja for recreational purposes,” Golding said. “The objective is to provide a more enlightened approach to dealing with possession of small quantities.”
The new law is a major win for the Rastafarian spiritual movement. Believers smoke marijuana to bring them closer to “the most high, Jah Rastafari,” but are fearful of possible prosecution.
In addition, the new legislation will allow those previously convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana to have their criminal records expunged.