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There is a big misconception among foreigners that Marijuana is legal in Jamaica. That could not be further from the truth. Even an ambassador for marijuana like Peter Tosh suffered numerous abuse at the hands of the Jamaican police for possessing and using marijuana. Just last year there was a big media story where a young man was arrested for smoking a marijuana spliff and ended up getting killed (allegedly by the police) while in lock up.

Good news could be soon on the way, however. A law to decriminalize marijuana passed the senate today. The bill will allow police to fine users of marijuana but not to arrest them. So getting caught with marijuana in Jamaica could soon be the same as getting a traffic ticket.

On March 12, the Ganja Bill will go to the House of Representatives for debate.

Decriminalization is a positive step, but Jamaica needs to follow Colorado’s footstep and in the word of Peter Tosh, “LEGALIZE IT”.