Govt Approves Possession and Use of 28 Grams of Cannabis for People Aged 18+

Barbara 26th October, 2020

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The Dominican government has approved the possession and use of cannabis that is not more than 28 grams (1 ounce) for people aged 18 and above. Individual households are also allowed to cultivate not more than three plants of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. And people who had ever been convicted for possessing and using less than 28 grams of marijuana will have their criminal records expunged.

To implement this new initiative and fully decriminalize possession and use of cannabis to the extent stated above – Minister of National Security and Home Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore, introduced the Amendment of the Drugs Prevention of Misuse Act to Parliament and it was passed into law on Monday. According to the new legislation, possession of 1 ounce of marijuana is decriminalized for persons aged 18 and above, and anyone already convicted for using this amount of marijuana in the past shall have the conviction vacated.

Blackmoore went on to clarify that the new legislation does not empower anyone to smoke marijuana in public spaces such as inside buses, places of worship, commercial facilities, and in any public areas. Users are only allowed to use cannabis in their private homes, and it can only be cultivated in premises that are legally owned by the user. He also emphasized that he does not support the full legalization of marijuana at this time, but a restricted use that is limited to 28 grams to persons above 18 years of age in private homes.

Edward Registe, parliamentary representative for Grand Bay constituency, expressed satisfaction with the new legislation, stating that people with limited quantities of marijuana now have nothing to fear with the law or from law enforcement agents. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also gave his blessings to the new development, adding that the new initiative is a part of the justice reform programme embarked upon by the DLP administration.

“This is all part of our justice reform program that people who are in possession of 28 grams or less will not be charged and prosecuted…and to allow people to be able to have in their possession and for religious purposes 28 grams of marijuana,” Skerrit said. “We made a commitment in our manifesto and also in the Budget address of 2020…I am very happy this is being done and it will certainly be a great day for the country that we can have this passed in law…”