Housewife fined $5000, 2 months community service for ganja

A 34-year-old housewife, who was arrested by the Police with small packets of marijuana, has been spared jail time thanks to the recent amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. Melissa Gillard of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, who was arrested on February 8, appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.

During her arraignment before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, she pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that she had 29.1 grams (an ounce) of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) in her possession.
Gillard was sentenced to pay a fine of $5000 along with two months of community service.
In November of last year, the Government passed amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act which paved the way for the removal of custodial sentences for persons in possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana

Although custodial sentences have been removed, persons found with one to 15 grams of cannabis will be required to undergo mandatory counselling while persons found with one to 30 grams of cannabis will be subjected to community service under the Extra-Mural Work Act for a period not exceeding six months. The Act will see an offender who breaches the mandatory counselling and community service paying a fine of $250,000.
The amendments intend to reduce recidivism, prison overcrowding, and the burden on the criminal justice system, save State funds and ultimately rebuild lives, families, and communities affected and disadvantaged by the fining and incarceration of persons, especially youths, for the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis.
This forms part of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to reducing the overcrowding of prisons by providing alternative sentencing. (G1)