Jamaica to make Personal use of Marijuana Legal

Jamaica is set to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica’s prime minister has decided to take this decision, in line with plans to amend the country’s Dangerous Drugs Act, The Guardian reports.

The amendment of the act would allow for the legal smoking of ganja in private places, as well as its use for medicinal, religious and research (by accredited institutions) purposes.

“Too many of our young people have ended up with criminal convictions after being caught with a spliff, something that has affected their ability to do things like get jobs and get visas to travel overseas,” said Mark Golding, Jamaica’s Minister of Justice. 

The government also has plans to propose a bill to parliament that will expunge the criminal records of people convicted of possessing small amounts of the drug.

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