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As countries all over the world loosen up on their laws on marijuana, Jamaica joins the growing list with their plans to change their laws on the drug.
According to TIME, Jamaica's officials are set to decriminalize ganja by the end of the summer. Minister of Justice Mark Golding announced the news at a preference on Tuesday.
"Cabinet approved certain changes to the law relating to ganja," he said. "These relate to possession of small quantities of ganja for personal use, the smoking of ganja in private places and the use of ganja for medical-medicinal purposes."
The possession of the drug will be downsized to paying a small fine and possible community service instead of jail time. Golding included that many youths in Jamaica lose out on opportunities to better themselves because of the petty crime.
"Too many of our young people have ended up with criminal convictions after being caught with a 'spliff,'" he said. "Something that has affected their ability to do things like get jobs and get visas to travel overseas."
Individuals with records of small possession of marijuana can expect their records to be exonerated.
Photo Credit: Peter Q
