A motion brought to the House of Representatives for the decriminalisation of ganja was passed on Tuesday. It was the subject of extensive debate, with some members opposing decriminalisation, while others gave their support to the motion which was brought by Raymond Pryce, Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth.

In closing the debate on Tuesday, Mr. Pryce emphasised that the motion was asking for the removal of criminal sanctions with proper monitoring and regulations.

He argued that decades of criminal prohibition had not had the desired outcome and advocate insted that proper measures for monitoring and treatment be put in place as part of the proposed new regime.

Pryce's motion is in keeping with a growing global trend and largely mirrors a key recommendation of the National Commission on Ganja, which submitted its report to the Government of Jamaica in August, 2001.