Senate to debate Marijuana legislation today

The Dan­ger­ous Drugs (Amend­ment) Bill, 2019 will be brought before the Senate for consideration today, Friday 13.

The Bill was passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on Wednesday with a few amendments which include persons being allowed to use limited amounts of marijuana- 30 grammes. Persons may also smoke the herb in their private dwelling.

The Bill also features a retroactive clause which allows for those currently charged for possession of fewer than 60 grammes of marijuana to ask for a dis­charge, while persons charged with possession of 60-100 grammes will be allowed to seek a discharge. For the latter charge, Attorney General Faris Al Rawi said in his contribution on Wednesday that the accused mat have to pay a fine or do community service, but they will be saved from prison time and a heftier fee.

The Dan­ger­ous Drugs (Amend­ment) Bill, 2019 requires a simple ma­jor­i­ty of votes for it to be passed.

Debate begins at 10:00a.m in the Upper House.