Yes, Lisa is correct. Every time a country or another State in the USA decides to change their ganja laws, this question comes up.
I thought the Vegas example was the perfect one to remain and reply to as a case of what happens when new ganja laws are implemented too quickly. The dispensaries themselves are complaining about the tourists' ability to buy but not use. A real life Catch 22.
Las Vegas is a huge Federal tax paying entity in the US. There are so many rules and regulations that comes with being America's gambling mecca that there is no way that they want their golden goose to be cooked. Or vaped.
Ganja is still illegal under US Federal Law and there are plenty of Feds in Vegas. The number of Air Marshalls there on any given night has to be staggering. And whether we like thinking about it or not, Las Vegas is a brightly lit target. The amount of Federal agents and surveillance there must be mind numbing. There are also cameras on the streets to monitor the comings and goings of everyone and anything from pretty much every angle. An unfortunate reality in today's world and Las Vegas has been doing an amazing job! Unless you think they are leaving it all to Lady Luck (I was never lucky in that place.)
Anyone who has spent time in the Vegas casinos even decades ago can attest to the ratio of actual gambling visitors to the incredible number of hired security of all ages, races and appearances. The casinos now employ the best facial/body/voice/? recognition software available anywhere. Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen were just movies.
Jamaica is taking a more measured approach. The present decriminalization of small amounts is a perfect start. It does not really change anything, other than allow those who were smoking previously from looking over their shoulder. I have yet to hear of an actual ticket being issued for a spliff since the law changed. Medicinal laws are already being finalized with pharmaceuticals being developed. And learning from other places, such as Colorado, Amsterdam (which changed their laws) and Nevada (which needs to change their laws) will help Jamaica craft their laws using hindsight and prevent the legal impasse that has happened in other places.
I hope this will put this issue to rest. Whynot's question has served a good purpose.
Ganja has been around forever and some many people use it and many others do not. So come to Jamaica and feel alright and dont worry about a thing!
