Jamaica (yes, Jamaica) finally decriminalizes marijuana

In this Aug. 29, 2013 photo, farmer nicknamed Breezy shows his illegal patch of budding marijuana plants during a tour of his land in Jamaica's central mountain town of Nine Mile. Breezy says Americans, Germans and increasingly Russian tourists have toured his small farm and sampled his crop.

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BY STAN SCHROEDER1 HOUR AGO

Carrying small amounts of ganja — also known as marijuana, pot, weed or cannabis — has been decriminalized in Jamaica under a new law, passed Tuesday.

After much debate, Jamaican lawmakers voted to make possession of small amounts of pot — up to two ounces — a petty offense that would not result in a criminal record. Furthermore, cultivation of five or fewer plants on any premises will be permitted in the country.

To many, the fact that the drug has so far been considered illegal in Jamaica could come as surprise.

In the 1930s, the country birthed the Rastafari movement, which considers the smoking of marijuana to be a spiritual act. And though it is still a minor religious movement in the predominantly Christian Jamaica, the country's culture has long been linked to the practice of smoking ganja.

Still, until now, ganja was completely illegal in the country, even for medicinal purposes.

The new law paves the way for a "cannabis licensing authority" to be set up to deal with regulations on cultivation and distribution of marijuana for medical, scientific and therapeutic purposes.

Rastafarians can also legally use marijuana for religious purposes for the first time on the tropical island, and tourists who are prescribed medical marijuana abroad will soon be able to apply for permits, authorizing them to legally buy small amounts of Jamaican weed.

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"The passage of this legislation does not create a free-for-all in the growing, transporting, dealing or exporting of ganja," Peter Bunting, the island's national security minister, said in Parliament. "The security forces will continue to rigorously enforce Jamaican law consistent with our international treaty obligations."

The Tuesday move by Jamaican lawmakers adds to an international trend of easing restrictions on marijuana for medical or personal use. More than 20 U.S. states allow some form of medical marijuana and last year Colorado and Washington legalized personal use. On Tuesday, Alaska became the third U.S. state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults.

In the Americas, Uruguay last year became the first nation to create a legal marijuana market. Other countries in the region have made similar moves to Jamaica. In Argentina, personal possession of marijuana was decriminalized under a 2009 Supreme Court ruling that jail time for small amounts of drugs violates the country's constitution.