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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, December 20, 2019 (CMC) – As of December 23, the Keith Rowley-led administration will make a proclamation that will decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.
The Prime Minister, who made the announcement during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, said that President Paula Mae Weeks will make the proclamation to the bill that was passed, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, earlier this month.
However, until Weekes adds her signature, possession of the drug remains completely illegal.
According to Rowley, once the law is proclaimed, it opens doors to several things.
“Once it is proclaimed a new State will exist, and that will allow us to do a number of things, including persons, who are incarcerated for the minimum quantities, to be released; and persons, who have to get their records expunged, there is a process,” he said.
Once decriminalised, a person would be able to possess 30 grams of marijuana, and under. They would also be able to grow up to four marijuana plants at their home.
In addressing other issues at the media briefing, the Prime Minister dealt with concerns that the TT$89 million, spent on renovations on the President’s House, could have been better spent, elsewhere.
He said the project created employment opportunities, as 370 persons worked on the building, including masons, carpenters, welders, engineers, architects and non-skilled workers.
He further stated that the renovation work also created opportunities for local businesses that supply building materials.
