Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Possession of 56 grams of ganja in Jamaica is not a criminal offence

Dec 08, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
With the current debate regarding marijuana legislation and sentencing policy in Guyana, I here share how Jamaica has recently updated its legislation and changed its policy with regard to marijuana. Earlier this year Jamaica enacted the “Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act 2015” that decriminalized the possession of UNDER 2 ounces of marijuana, making it a “ticketable” offence instead. A brief summary of the legislation shows;
1. Possession of 2 ounces or less of ganja is no longer an offence for which one can be arrested, charged and have to go to court, and it will not result in a criminal record. (2 ounces = 56.7 grammes)
2. However, the police may issue a ticket to a person in possession of 2 ounces or less of ganja , similar to a traffic ticket, and the person has 30 days to pay the sum of J$500 at any Tax Office.
3. It remains a criminal offence to be in possession of over 2 ounces of ganja, and offenders can be arrested, charged, tried in court and, if found guilty, sentenced to a fine or to imprisonment or both. The conviction will also be recorded on that person’s criminal record.
4. Smoking of ganja at privately-occupied residences that are not used for commercial purposes is not an offence, but is governed by the rules on possession of ganja referred to in 1 above. (As such persons having less than 2 ounces of marijuana in their homes will not be given a ticket)
The Jamaica legislation aptly addressed the concern raised by the Minister of Public Health George Norton with regards to Guyana’s impending “anti-tobacco legislation” (Jamaica has already passed stringent anti-tobacco legislation), where it states
a) Smoking of ganja in a public place or within five metres of a public place is prohibited in a manner similar to cigarettes.
b) A person who smokes in public cannot be arrested or detained. However, the police may issue a ticket to that person, who will have 30 days to pay $500 at any Tax Office.
c) For the purposes of these smoking rules, a public place includes a workplace, and any place which is for the use of, or accessible to, the public, such as sidewalks, bus stops, restaurants, offices, educational institutions, pharmacies, hospitals, areas used by children, supermarkets and parks.
Please find link to factsheet about Jamaica’s “Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act 2015”. (http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/Dangerous%20Drugs%20Amendment%20Act%202015%20Fact%20Sheet_0.pdf ) .The legislation goes further, addressing medical and religious use of marijuana, cultivation and scientific research of marijuana among others. I conclude that Guyana adopting a similar approach would result in several positive outcomes.
It would recognize the changing trend in United States (where some states have “legalised” marijuana use) and Europe, as the global order began to recognize some of the failures on “the war on drugs”
It will free up police resources (time, manpower and money) to fight serious crime
It will reduce the clutter at the Magistrate Court, which should result in quicker dispensation of justice.
It will reduce the cost of imprisonment, thus saving the state millions of dollars
It would inhibit young persons getting a criminal record that can be an albatross around their neck for the rest of their lives as they find it challenging to get into the workforce.
It will reduce young persons becoming hardened criminal as is usually the case as they spend time in prison mixing with these elements.
It will raise revenue through the imposition of fines. To be successful, I believe the fine should be small enough not to induce police corruption, but still act as a deterrent. I would recommend between GUY$1000 – GUY$2000. At today’s rate the Jamaican fine of JA$500 is equivalent to GUY$865.07.
Dexter Cummings

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]