The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago is making history with the advancement of two new marijuana related bills. Most notably, the country’s House of Representatives just approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of cannabis.
Taking things a step further, the nation is also considering a second bill. This one could set up a framework for regulating the production and sale of marijuana.
All in all, this new legislation could bring big changes to the country. But it could also have much broader implications throughout the region.
Trinidad and Tobago Getting Close to Decriminalizing Weed
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives in Trinidad and Tobago approved the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill of 2019. After the House’s approval, the bill will now move on to the Senate.
The Senate will discuss and debate the bill before it goes up for a vote. All of that is reportedly going to take place this week and next week.
If the Senate agrees on a final version of the bill and approves it, the legislation would eventually be sent back to the House for one more vote. And from there, it would finally be handed on to President Paula-Mae Weekes to be officially signed into law.
The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill of 2019 introduces a number of big changes for cannabis law in the country. These include the following:
- A person can possess up to 30 grams of weed and five grams of resin without facing any criminal charges.
- Possession of between 30 and 60 grams of weed, and between five and 10 grams of resin, will face a fee of roughly $200 USD. Importantly, this will not carry