Pubdate: Thu, 26 Feb 2015
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298

JAMAICA: MARIJUANA RESTRICTIONS EASED

(AP) - Marijuana has been pervasive but illegal in Jamaica for 
decades, but on Tuesday night Parliament gave final legislative 
approval to an act decriminalizing small amounts of it and 
establishing a licensing agency to regulate a lawful medical 
marijuana industry. The amendments pave the way for a "cannabis 
licensing authority" to be established to deal with regulating the 
cultivation and distribution of marijuana for medical and scientific 
purposes. Officials say the island's governor-general will soon sign 
the measure into law. The act makes possession of up to two ounces of 
marijuana a petty offense that could result in a ticket but not in a 
criminal record. Cultivation of five or fewer plants on any premises 
will be permitted. And tourists who are prescribed medical marijuana 
abroad will soon be able to apply for permits authorizing them to 
legally buy small amounts.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom