Jamaica passes law to decriminalises marijuana for personal use

Jamaica’s Parliament on 25 February 2015 has passed a law to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana up to 57 grams for personal use.
The newly passed law allows licensing authority to oversee the medical and scientific uses of the Marijuana plant in the country.
Jamaica’s decision to legalise marijuana comes in line with global trend which include several Latin American countries and US states that have decriminalised marijuana possession.
Marijuana is widely grown in Jamaica and has cultural roots there. It is also the biggest exporter of marijuana to the United States among Caribbean countries.
Global trend of decriminalisation of marijuana

• In 2014, Uruguay was the first country in the world to approve the growth, sale and distribution of marijuana.
• In United States, states like Alaska, Colorado, and Washington have legalises the sale and possession of marijuana for both medical and non-medical use.
• Mexico, Colombia and Argentina also have decriminalised the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

About Marijuana

• Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of Cannabis sativa – the hemp plant.
• Most people smoke marijuana, though it can also be used in other forms such as edibles, powders and oils.
• Medicinal values of marijuana is used as a drug for controlling pain for medical issues, like cancer, nervous system diseases, glaucoma, migraines, etc. It also can be used to treat nausea and improve appetites for people with HIV or other chronic illnesses.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2015