Jamaica's government announced plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, the Associated Press reported.
Officials said Thursday that possession of pot, or "ganja" as it is known in Jamaica, in amounts of 2 ounces or less will result in a fine instead of an arrest, according to a Cabinet proposal. The proposal would also allow marijuana possession for scientific, religious or medically-related reasons.
"I wish to stress the proposed changes to the law are not intended to promote or give a stamp of approval to the use of ganja for recreational purposes," Justice Minister Mark Golding told the AP. "The objective is to provide a more enlightened approach to dealing with possession of small quantities."
Those who have been convicted for smoking small amounts of pot may also be able to have their records expunged. The proposed changes would generate revenue from pot sold for medical and scientific purposes.
"It is not only wrong but also foolhardy to continue with a law that makes it illegal to possess ganja and its derivatives for medicinal purposes," Golding told the AP.
The changes would also be a victory for the Rastafarian movement, whose members smoke ganja as a way to bring them closer to a higher power, according to the AP.
Though it has been illegal in Jamaica for over 100 years, weed is considered a ubiquitous part of the nation's culture.
Jamaica has long been hesitant to decriminalize pot out of fear of retaliation from the U.S. But with more American states, and the federal government to a certain extent, relaxing marijuana laws, Jamaican politicians are following suit.
"I think it highly unlikely this will get a negative reaction from the Obama administration," Ethan Nadelmann, director of the nonprofit Drug Police Alliance which supports legalization, told the AP.
