Trinidad and Tobago: the House of Representatives votes to decriminalize cannabis

Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago passed the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill of 2019 which, if approved by the Senate, would decriminalize cannabis possession.

The Senate will then discuss and debate the bill before it is put to a vote, which is expected to take place sometime next week.

If the Senate approves a final version of the bill, it will eventually be sent back to the House for another vote, and then finally submitted to President Paula-Mae Weekes for her official signature.

The decriminalization bill introduces a number of major changes compared to the current law:

• An adult may possess up to 30 grams of marijuana and 5 grams of resin
• Possession of 30 to 60 grams of marijuana and 5 to 10 grams of resin will result in a fine of approximately 200$, with no entry on the criminal record
• Possession of 60 to 100 grams of marijuana, or 14 grams of resin, would result in a fine of up to 11000$
• Home cultivation will be permitted for up to four cannabis plants per household. An earlier version of this legislation allowed only male plants, a provision that has since been changed (male plants do not actually produce flowers suitable for smoking).
• None of the above provisions may result in criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment. Failure to pay fines, however, could result in additional fines and community service.

Legalization in Sight Through a Second Bill

While Trinidad and Tobago is currently close to decriminalizing cannabis, the country is also considering legalizing it more straightforwardly through a second bill, the Cannabis Control Bill, which would establish a regulatory framework for the production and sale of cannabis in the country.

The Joint Special Committee on the Cannabis Control Bill will report to the @TTParliament by February 29, 2020. Trinidad and Tobago's government only required a simple measure; however, the bill received the support of the country's opposition in its amended form. The context is as follows: https://t.co/o6ibF39KRS

— Clydeen McDonald (@ClydeenMcDonald) December 12, 2019

This bill was recently referred to a parliamentary committee, which could make recommendations to Parliament in early 2020.