Jamaica decriminalizes personal possession of marijuana, will clear past ‘ganja’ arrest records

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/13/jamaica-decriminalizes-personal-possession-of-marijuana-will-clear-past-ganja-arrest-records/?utm_source=crowdignite.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=crowdignite.com

...“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,” Golding said.

He added that the government would propose a bill in the Jamaican Parliament soon that will expunge the criminal records of people convicted for possession of small amounts of the drug, which is grown widely across Jamaica.

The change means that a person cannot be arrested if he has in his possession up to 57 grams (2 ounces) of ganja in a public space.

Anyone ticketed will be given 30 days to pay the fine, failure of which will result in it becoming a minor offense, resulting in the offender doing court-ordered community service.

According to Golding, possession of ganja for religious or therapeutic purposes as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, or for scientific research by an accredited institution, will also be decriminalized.