Being in such close proximity to Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, has imported much of its supply of marijuana. Much of the ganja bought on the streets are compressed and imported. That has changed somewhat in recent years and it’s about to get a lot better.
After missed deadlines and enhanced flubs with the announcement and roll-out, the Trinidad and Tobago government has finally signed a ganja decriminalization bill into law. The Cannabis Control Act 2019 was officially made law with the declaration by the President, Paula-Mae Weekes.
Activist Nazma Muller confronts Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley outside of parliament in 2019.
In December of 2019, the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago told his nation that decriminalization was on the way and the public will be allowed to propagate plants on their property. There was a little problem. The law would only allow for “male” plants. This negates the purpose of home-grown plants, due to the simple fact that that only female plants flower. The flower is what people consume. The male plant has little purpose but to fertilize female plants to produce seeds.
Nonetheless, the bill passed on December 21, 2019. The bill sets out provisions for licensing for growing, processing and distribution of cannabis products. Much like Jamaica, the government is focusing on medicinal cannabis operations, which comes with its own regulatory framework and international restrictions due to international agreements and United Nations treaties.
There is still stiff opposition amongst some religious groups, however the public demand and the outdated and disproven arguments, may have delayed the process, but nature is winning.
The new law will allow for:
- Adults to possess up to 30 grammes of the drug in their possession.
- Persons can grow up to four (4) plants on their property (not only male plants).
As with any freedoms granted to citizens anywhere on earth, there are caveats.
- Persons are not allowed to smoke in public spaces or while operating a vehicle.
Cannabis activist Nazma Muller has described the move to decriminalize marijuana as a victory as she deemed the previous laws as a violation of citizen’s constitutional rights to freedom.