KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Minister Mark Golding this afternoon announced that individuals caught with small amounts of ganja, two ounces and under, will no longer be subject to a criminal conviction.
Speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister Golding said that Cabinet had given approval for certain amendments to be made to the Dangerous Drugs Act.
“Cabinet approved certain changes to the law relating to ganja. These relate to possession of small quantities of ganja for personal use, the smoking of ganja in private places and the use of ganja for medical/medicinal purposes. Approval has been given also to a proposal for the decriminalization of the use of ganja for religious purposes,” he said.
Golding said it was possible that the amendments to the law will be made by early September and possession of small quantities of the weed would now be a “non-arrestable, ticketable infraction attracting a monetary penalty”.
