With the support of Deputy Speaker, Lenox Shuman, the lone opposition member in parliament, Government on Monday night passed a bill which removes custodial sentences for possession of less than 30 grammes of cannabis.
The bill tabled by Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, was first read in the House in January 2021. The bill was then sent to a select committee for further discussion and input from civil society.
“We are removing custodial sentence from 1 to 30 grams but it still remains a criminal offence. In respect, to 1-to 30 grams, the penalty is counselling – mandatory counselling and from 15-30 grams, the penalty is community service, under the extra-mural work act,” the Attorney General said.
