The bill would decriminalize possession of marijuana, but people could receive fines that do not result in a criminal record. UPI/Shutterstock/Atomazul

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Jamaican senate will vote to approve a bill that will decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and grant business licenses for developing medicinal marijuana.

The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 Bill was approved by the Jamaican cabinet Monday and will reach the Senate Friday. The bill will be up for debate Jan. 30.


Parts of the bill include decriminalizing possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, allowing the use of marijuana for religious and medical purposes reasons and granting licenses to businesses to develop medical marijuana and industrial hemp.

The bill would make smoking marijuana in public spaces illegal.