Bermuda has passed a bill decriminalizing the possession of cannabis after years of lobbying by advocates of the psychoactive drug which is used for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
The island nation’s Misuse of Drugs [Decriminalization of Cannabis] Amendment Act 2017 removes criminal prosecution for the possession of not more than 7 grams of cannabis.
The decriminalization of marijuana does not mean it is legal and can be used without any queries.
According to the Act, prosecutors are permitted to lay charges for any amount of the drug if there is evidence of potential trafficking. The police have also been authorized to seize any cannabis regardless of the amount.
There are criminal laws against the use of marijuana across the Caribbean except in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Malta.
Jamaica moved to decriminalize the possession of up to two grams of marijuana in late 2014. Before then, culprits were jailed for up to ten years for possession of the drug.
This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com
Ismail Akwei 