With the current debate regarding marijuana legislation and sentencing policy in Guyana, I here share how Jamaica has recently updated its legislation and changed its policy with regard to marijuana. Earlier this year Jamaica enacted the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act 2015 that decriminalized the possession of under 2 ounces of marijuana, making it a ticketable offence instead. A brief summary of the legislation shows:

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) – Justin Trudeau raised eyebrows when he admitted to having dabbled in marijuana while a member of parliament, but his pledge as prime minister to legalise pot has been broadly cheered.

He said in a policy speech on Friday that his Liberal government would introduce legislation as early as 2016 to legalise marijuana, making Canada the first in the G7 bloc of industrialised nations to do so, although precise details remain sketchy.

Two in three Canadians support decriminalising possession and use of the mind-altering weed, according to a recent Ipsos poll.

Support is widespread and at its highest level in three decades, it said, even though cannabis use has fallen off.

With Jamaica in advanced stages of preparation for the possible legalisation of ganja, some forward thinking entrepreneurs are getting ready for the financial opportunities that will arise. Maurice Ellis and Richard Ramdial, owners of Sun Spice Seasonings Company Limited/IgadI Jamaica Limited - an all natural Jamaican line of seasonings, are on the brink of some exciting by-products made from cannabis.

The Government is to bring legislation to protect growers of new varieties of ganja plants as it seeks to step up intellectual property protection of producers.

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Anthony Hylton, says the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office and the Ministry of Agriculture are in the process of developing the new legislation.

Hylton says the legislation will complement the developments in the cannabis industry.

He says the law will facilitate and encourage innovation in the growing of new plant varieties as well as the registration of the rights of ganja growers and farmers.

According to the minister, the move will bring about a new area of intellectual property protection in Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Health Minister invited attendees to visit his country to enjoy cannabis tourism, a Town Hall linked “Black Lives Matter” shootings to the Drug War and a review of rapid advances in psychedelic therapies were but three moments that show the diversity of presentations at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference Nov. 18-21, 2015.

The products will be available next year in the four U.S. states where cannabis use is legal, namely Colorado, Washington, OR and Alaska.

The 27-year-old, who is set to release her highly-anticipated eighth studio album, has made no secret of indulging in cannabis and has been an open supporter of its legalization.

Her line will reportedly include strains of Karibbean Kush, Haitian Haze and Jamaican High Grade and will also include edibles and concentrates. “MaRihanna is blazing a trail for the industry”.

While speaking at a cannabis convention in Negril, Jamaica this week, Rihanna announced her new line of marijuana, according to a reggae website covering the event.

FOLLOWING a bumper debut last week, the Cannabis Cup may return to Jamaica in 2016.

Matt Stang, director of advertising and sponsorships at High Times magazine, co-promoter of the November 12-15 event in Negril, described it as a resounding success.

"It was a fantastic experience and greatly exceeded all expectations. Jamaica is an incredible and welcoming country. We can't wait for another year in paradise," said Stang.

He listed the performances of I Wayne, Luciano and Tarrus Riley among the highlights of the 'Cup', which took place at Long Bay Beach Park.

A man accused of transporting over 100 pounds of ganja in a motorcar was

further remanded following his appearance in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court last Tuesday.

Charged with possession of, dealing in, taking steps to export, conspiracy to export and trafficking ganja is Horace Harris.

Allegations are that on the day of the incident, the accused man was stopped by the police when he was driving along a thoroughfare. It is said that upon approaching the vehicle, lawmen were alerted to the odour of marijuana which permeated the air.

It is said that the lawmen requested a search of the

After spending several days in Negril with Jamaican government officials, members of the CLA (Cannabis Licensing Authority), JAMPRO (Jamaican Trade and Investment), and other interested parties, it became apparent that despite enormous progress towards developing a set of standards and regulations there remain four major challenges ahead.

Responsibility for developing and implementing policies for a sustainable, best-practice cannabis industry rests with the Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce. Minister Hylton made it very clear, that when done right “brand Jamaica” will be a global trademark. He said Jamaica is “at the forefront of a new global industry and the world is watching”.

The Rastafari Rootzfest, launched on October 27, 2015 at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, brought together reggae music and ganja in a groundbreaking event on the Caribbean island that has led the way in decriminalising marijuana.