Jamaica set to Decriminalize Marijuana

Jamaican flag

This Friday the Senate in the Country of Jamaica debated the legalization of marijuana. There couldn't be a more fitting day for the debate then the birthday of marijuana advocate Bob Marley. The Jamaican cabinet approved a bill in January 2015 that is now in need of approval with the senate.

With this ruling the 100 year prohibition of marijuana in Jamaica could soon be broken. The Rastafarian religion rooted in Jamaica uses the herb for religious purposes. They regard smoking marijuana as a sacrament. The bill would allow for a licensing authority to be established. This would grant permits for marijuana cultivation, distribution, research and medicinal use.

The legalization of marijuana in Jamaica would effect the community as well as the drug trade in the Caribbean. Prohibition has failed to reduce the drug prevalence in Central America. A different approach to these laws may reduce the criminal aspect in marijuana distribution.

Source:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-30926714

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/02/06/jamaican-senate-resumes-debate-on-decriminalizing-marijuana/

House of Representatives Vote and Pass a Stop to the Federal Persecutions for Medical Marijuana

Though each state is deciding how they want to govern the use of medical marijuana, a dark cloud of the Federal Government has stood in the way of making the laws fully legal and bound. On May 1, 2014 a vote was passed by the House of Representatives to not allow Federal persecutions where states have passed laws to allow medical marijuana. This vote now stands in the upcoming months to pass the Senate vote to be put into law.


California Representative Dana Rohrabacher on the house floor stated, “Some people are suffering, and if a doctor feels that he needs to prescribe something to alleviate that suffering, it is immoral for this government to get in the way.”


Overwhelmingly the Democratic party has favored the stop to federal regulation with the Republican Party hard to coerce. Federal government currently is active in regulating marijuana, a criminal trial with 3 Washington medical marijuana growers , moves to shut down some of the nation’s largest dispensaries in Berkeley and Oakland, and others that are sitting in jail for earlier prosecutions. One of the lead government people against the legalization is DEA Administrator Leonhart.


Twenty-Two states now allow the use of medical marijuana with many more about to approve. Two states have passed laws allowing the recreational use, Colorado and Washington. Another 10 states for the use of cannabidiol CBD that has been shown to be effective in treating children’s seizures and other conditions, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. Two amendments also passed to take away funds for the Federal government to intervene for research and cultivation in hemp.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source: http://jonathanturley.org/2014/05/31/house-of-representatives-votes-to-stop-federal-prosecutions-against-medical-marijuana/


http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/05/30/3443165/house-passes-amendment-to-strip-funding-for-medical-pot-crackdowns/