KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Justice will be hosting a town hall meeting aimed at raising awareness about the amendments made to the Dangerous Drugs Act, often referred to as the “Ganja Law”, at the St Luke’s Anglican Church Hall, Slipe Pen Road, Kingston, on Wednesday, June 17, at 5:00 pm.

This town hall meeting will seek to address the misconceptions held by the public about the law relating to the treatment of ganja and will provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions on the controversial subject, a release from the ministry said Monday.

Topics to be discussed include: possession of ganja, use of ganja as a sacrament and cultivation for personal and medicinal/therapeutic use.

Senator Mark Golding, minister of justice; Kathlene Arnold, director Criminal and Civil Justice Administration Division; and Jamila Simms, legal officer at the Ministry are expected to present.

The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act was brought into operation on April 15, 2015, making possession of two or less ounces of ganja a ticketable offence.

Additionally, the Bill prohibits the smoking of ganja in public places and makes provisions for the granting of licences as well as the establishment of a regulated industry for ganja for medical, scientific and therapeutic uses.

It also provides for the creation of a Cannabis Licensing Authority.