Jamaica moves to decriminalise marijuana, with eyes on medical use

WHATFG

Well-Known Member
This went across the cbc ticker this morning. Boy we are dragging behind the rest of the world.


Jamaica has drafted legislation to decriminalise marijuana, the island’s justice minister said on Tuesday.

Mark Golding told reporters that MPs should make possession of two ounces (57 grams) or less a petty offence before the end of 2014. He also expects decriminalisation for religious purposes to be authorised by then, allowing Rastafarians to ritually smoke marijuana, which they consider a “holy herb”, without fear of arrest.

The drug, although pervasive, has been prohibited on the Caribbean island for a century.

Golding said it would take longer to agree on more complex changes to Jamaica’s Dangerous Drugs Act needed to spur a medical marijuana and cannabis research sector. He said Jamaica, where scientists developed a cannabis-derived medication to treat glaucoma decades ago, was “well-positioned to be a forerunner” in efforts to research therapeutic uses of the plant.

Golding stressed the government was committed to battling drug traffickers. He said keeping marijuana away from children, the international black market and organised crime would be a top priority.

Previous efforts to decriminalise marijuana failed to advance because Jamaican officials feared they would violate international treaties and bring sanctions from Washington. But those concerns have eased now that a number of nations and some US states have relaxed marijuana laws.

Golding said the regulatory framework needed for a medical marijuana and scientific research industry in Jamaica was still being debated. Setting maximum limits on pot cultivation was not anticipated, he said, but the government wanted to ensure that small farmers “are not excluded and it does not just become something exclusively for major capital-intensive investors”.

Ethan Nadelmann, head of the nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-legalisation group based in New York, called Golding’s announcement a “significant step forward”.

It’s “both noteworthy in that Jamaica is reforming policies on possession, religious use and medical use at more or less the same time, and politically important in providing leadership in the Caribbean”, he said.

A recent preliminary report by the Caribbean Community of 15 nations and territories said medical marijuana could help boost the region’s economy.
 

The Hippy

Well-Known Member
Good thing their gonna legalize it there. Cause I hear it's impossible to find.
Seriously...bout time!
 

Skylor

Well-Known Member
Good thing their gonna legalize it there. Cause I hear it's impossible to find.
Seriously...bout time!
yeah but you don't have to sneak around as much..i'm sure some tourist still get hit with fines by the cops. Be nice if the hotel you be staying at just had some bud laying around for the guest to enjoy-sample like they put out other things like water, cookies, donuts..even wine and cheese.

no need to go looking for bud, no fear of getting hassled by the cops, just relax and have fun...but they are not talking full legalization yet so maybe not much will change.

I'm serious, heck most hotels have a bar or two, they bring a bottle of wine to your room...why can't weed replace wine or go with it ?
 

The Hippy

Well-Known Member
I heard of a company who sets up weed vacations in Colorado now. Tours of grows and MJ realted activities. Sorry don't have a lot of info I know. Maybe at the hotel they put a bud on your pillow.
I got a card last year at the treating yourself show from a resort that allows med folks to puff away and enjoy the place with you herb. Somewhere in the Kawarthas I believe.
So Jamaica should start to offer these bud vacations as well. Let MJ build the new economy.
 

Skylor

Well-Known Member
yeah some lady who owned a few limos and she was picking up people from the airport and took them on their "weed vacation" She would plan their trip, book their hotel rooms, take them to places to buy their weed....she was booked solid for a few months so I bet other companies set up shop.

Its cheaper to plan your own vacation but she made it easier, she knew the town and where all the best/coolest place are. U pay her and she just pick you up at the airport and off you go on a private tour..U could smoke weed in back of the limo.

ABC Denver had a video story of her business last winter, she said some of her business was from older folks--in their 60's and older, folks that used to smoke long ago back in the 1960's.

She didn't have much of a business, I mean just 2 or 3 limos and not no top of the line but limos 5 years old or older parked in front of her little house. I wonder how she is doing now, if shes buying new $100,000 limos now ? Some people must be making it rich out there I would think
 

c ray

Well-Known Member
I wonder what 'a petty offense' means exactly? a fine?

c'mon Jamaica legalize it, don't decriminalize it..
 

The Hippy

Well-Known Member
Very interesting read and thanks for posting that....My ass feels better already...lol good news never the less.
 

Skylor

Well-Known Member
If I ever get married, Jamaica tops my list to go to on honeymoon....in fact it might be a must or weddings off, lol
 
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