Govt’s `free up the weed’ bill sent to select committee

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand with what appears to be the replica of a joint during her presentation on the Opposition motion. (DPI photo)

A government bill that seeks to remove custodial sentences for the possession of  less than 30 grammes of cannabis was sent to a select committee of Parliament on Thursday while an opposition motion to introduce a separate bill setting the no-jail amount at 500 grammes was defeated.

The APNU+AFC motion which was presented by  Sherod Duncan was thrown out after several hours of debate at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The government benches supported the bill bought by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall which intends to eliminate custodial sentences for possession of less than 30 grammes of cannabis.