Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, tabled the landmark Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill which contains proposed changes to laws affecting the use of ganja, in the Senate on Friday.

Golding had announced on Wednesday at a post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House that the Bill would be tabled Friday, following Monday’s approval of the proposed amendments by Cabinet. The amendments are expected to be supported by the Opposition.

The Bill has proposed the following amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, which was enacted in 1948 and last amended in 1987, and the debate is planned for next Friday, January 30:

Possession of two ounces or less of ganja to be a non-arrestable, ticketable infraction attracting a fixed monetary penalty, which shall be payable outside the court system and which does not give rise to a criminal record;

Failure to pay the monetary penalty is to be a minor offence, punishable in the Petty Sessions Court by an order for community service;

Where the person found in possession of ganja in a small quantity is a minor, or an adult who appears to be dependent on ganja, the person to be referred to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) by the police officer issuing the ticket;

Prohibition of the smoking of ganja in public places, subject to specified exceptions;

A scheme of licences, permits and other authorisations, to enable the establishment of a lawful, regulated industry for ganja for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes and the establishment of a Cannabis Licensing Authority.

The Bill also seeks to effect reform of the monetary penalties applicable under the Act.

Golding said Wednesday that there will be discussions with the Ministry of Finance and Planning for portions of the revenues generated by the licensing of industry to go into a dedicated fund to be used to provide financial support for a public education programme.

The funds will also be used for drug-abuse support; funding scientific research into the medical and other specific uses of ganja; as well as for providing additional support for the implementation of a new regulatory regime.

He said that, despite the proposals, Jamaica remains committed to the fight against transnational drug trafficking and organised crime.

“Save for the specific reforms that we have announced, the criminal sanctions for illicit activities involving ganja remain as currently set out in the Dangerous Drugs Act,” he said then.