The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 which was passed by both Houses of Parliament in February has been gazetted. The amended law will come into effect on April 15.
The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 which was passed by both Houses of Parliament in February has been gazetted. The amended law will come into effect on April 15.
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Can someone explain this to me? I understand they will recognize foreigners who have medical marijuana cards back home, but what if you don't have a medical authorization and are caught possessing or consuming cannabis in Negril?
Persons (all people) found with two ounces or less of marijuana will no longer be subject to arrest or detention by the police, but instead could be issued a ticket for JA$500 payable within a 30-day period at any revenue centre. This will not appear on your criminal record.
Under the new amendments, a person who is ticketed for smoking ganja in public or for possession of two ounces or less of marijuana and fails to pay the ticket will be required to attend a Petty Sessions Court, and may be ordered to do community service or pay a fine of JA$2,000.
The Ministry of Justice has made it clear that a conviction for failing to pay a ticket will be recorded on the offender's criminal record.
With the implementation of the so-called ganja law, the smoking of ganja will be legally permitted in places that are licensed for the smoking of ganja for medical or therapeutic purposes. If a tourist has a medical-marijuana prescription, you'll be able to buy from a government-sanctioned facility at some point in the future, but those details have yet to be worked out.
The new law will also permit adherents of the Rastafarian faith to smoke ganja for sacramental purposes in locations registered as places of Rastafarian worship.
The justice ministry has made it clear that the possession of more than two ounces of ganja remains a criminal offence 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.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
So less than $5 USD if caught with what amounts to a relatively large quantity of ganja, especially for a tourist visiting for a short time...
Is this something that will actually be enforced, or has it more or less rendered personal use amounts legal?
If one were to get ticketed, where in Negril would one go to pay the fine? Would it really be as simple as walking in paying five bucks and leaving?
It is the law so it can be enforced. Personal use is not legal. The Tax office in Sav is where you will pay the fine. Bring ID
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Duly noted..wow. Just continuing with my Red Stripe...that's OK, right??