Georgetown, Guyana – (July 2, 2019) The Ministry of the Presidency has noted some confusion and mixed interpretations surrounding its Press Release headlined, “Cabinet approves proposal to remove custodial sentences for 30 grams or less of marijuana,” and wishes to offer the following clarifications:

The draft amendments of the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015 were presented to Cabinet Meeting in Linden on April 30th, 2019. However, there was a process involved, following which, this information has now been made public.

This is the first in a series of actions that has to be taken to ensure the proposed changes are enacted. Before a Bill is sent to the National Assembly, it has to be approved by Cabinet. If there are any changes, it is sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers. However, once the final draft has been approved by Cabinet, it is added to the National Assembly’s Order Papers, read, debated and then voted on. The approval of the proposal therefore does not render it law; it is simply the first step.

Possession is still illegal. The Government only proposes to remove custodial sentences for 30 grams or less of marijuana.

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