Cannabis

Also known as

• Marijuana, Pot, Grass, Joints, Ganja, Hashish, Weed, Herb

Description

• Cannabis come from any part of a plant of the genus Cannabis.

• It contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (‘THC’) which affect one’s mood – causing euphoria, and also anxiety, disorientation or paranoia.

• Cannabis can affect concentration and memory which weakens the abuser’s ability to learn.

Adverse effects of short-term use and long-term or heavy use of cannabis^[1]

Effects of short-term use

• Impaired short-term memory, making it difficult to learn and to retain information.

• Impaired motor co-ordination, interfering with driving skills and increasing the risk of injuries.

• In high dose, can cause paranoia and psychosis.

Effects of long-term or heavy use

• Addiction – The earlier one begins to abuse drugs, the higher the risk of addiction.

• Altered brain development – Adults who smoke cannabis regularly during adolescence have impaired neural connectivity (fewer fibres) in specific brain regions.

• Cognitive impairment, with lower IQ among those who were frequent users in adolescence.

• Symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

• Poor education outcome, with increased likelihood of dropping out of school.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Sleeping difficulties

• Craving for the drug

Penalties

Trafficking of:

• Cannabis

  • Less than 330 grammes – Minimum of 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

  • Between 330 grammes and 500 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

  • More than 500 grammes – Liable for the death penalty

• Cannabis resin

  • Less than 130 grammes – Minimum of 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

  • Between 130 grammes and 200 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

  • More than 200 grammes – Liable for the death penalty

• Cannabis mixture

  • Less than 660 grammes – Up to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $20,000 or both

  • Between 660 grammes and 1,000 grammes – At least 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane

  • More than 1,000 grammes – At least 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

Import or export of:

• Cannabis

  • Less than 330 grammes – Minimum of 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

  • Between 330 grammes and 500 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

  • More than 500 grammes – Liable for the death penalty

• Cannabis resin

  • Less than 130 grammes – Minimum of 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

  • Between 130 grammes and 200 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

  • More than 200 grammes – Liable for the death penalty

• Cannabis mixture

  • Less than 660 grammes – Minimum of 5 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

  • Between 660 grammes and 1,000 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane

  • More than 1,000 grammes – Liable for the death penalty

Possession of:

• Cannabis

  • Less than 330 grammes –Maximum of 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $20,000 or both

  • Between 330 grammes and 500 grammes – Minimum of 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane

  • More than 500 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

• Cannabis mixture

  • Less than 660 grammes –Maximum of 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $20,000 or both

  • Between 660 grammes and 1,000 grammes – Minimum of 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane

  • More than 1,000 grammes –  Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

• Cannabis resin

  • Less than 130 grammes –Maximum of 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $20,000 or both

  • Between 130 grammes and 200 grammes – Minimum of 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane

  • More than 200 grammes – Minimum of 20 years of imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane, up to a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane

Consumption of cannabis/cannabis mixture/cannabis resin:

• Minimum of 1 year of imprisonment, up to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, with a maximum fine of $20,000

^[1] “Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use”, The New England Journal of Medicine, 5 June 2014 National Institute on Drug Abuse