Lower House passes “ganja bill”
The ease up on prosecution is to be complemented by a public education component to sensitise the public about the dangers of drug abuse
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
A bill to decriminalise up to 15 grammes of cannabis for personal use passed in the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) bill had its first reading in December, but was subsequently sent to a select committee to allow for more public consultations. That engagement was held on January 23 with recommendations calling for the proposed decriminalised amount to be raised from 10 grammes to as much as two ounces as it is in Jamaica. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that they had commissioned a poll before the decriminalisation move and that research indicated that 70 percent of the population was in favour. (See also: Antigua and Barbuda set to decriminalise cannabis, as PM says it is "Part of the culture of the country")
