Cabinet approves ganja legislative framework

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer



KINGSTON, Jamaica:

The Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT) says it is pleased at Cabinet's "bold move" towards ganja decriminalisation and the establishment of a legal and regulated medical ganja regime.



Taskforce director Delano Seiveright says it expects the measures to be passed in Parliament in short order.



Cabinet today approved the move that will see the legislation being tabled in the House at Friday's sitting of the Senate.



“The development is long overdue and comes after years and in recent times, heavy pressure from what is now a diverse and broadening group of stakeholders on human rights, social, economic, scientific and medical grounds,” said Seiveright



He commended its Science Minister Phillip Paulwell along with Justice Minister Mark Golding and Industry Minister Anthony Hylton for their role in getting Jamaica to this stage.



According to Seiveright, the Taskforce will step up its efforts to ensure that decriminalisation and the coming medical ganja regime lives up to the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, discipline and first-rate organisation.



“Beyond that, there is still a lot more work left to be done given the amazingly multifaceted nature of ganja” he said.



The Taskforce also urged Jamaicans to take careful note of coming developments to ensure that they are on the right side of the law and are diligent in their decision making.



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