Cannabis_in_Samoa

Cannabis in Samoa

Cannabis in Samoa

Use of cannabis in Samoa

Cannabis is illegal in Samoa.

Law

The possession, sale, disposition, cultivation, production, and prescribing of cannabis is regulated by the Narcotics Act 1967. Cannabis is a Class B narcotic under the Act.[1] The Act has only been amended twice since its creation in 1967, 2006 and 2009 respectively.[2]

Cultivation

It is illegal to cultivate cannabis or have a cannabis seed in your possession under Section 6 of the Act.[1] If found guilty, the maximum penalty is imprisonment of 14 years.[1]

Possession

It is illegal to possess or attempt to possess cannabis under Section 7 of the Act.[1] If found guilty, the maximum penalty is imprisonment of 14 years.[1]

Reform

In 2015 the Samoa Law Reform Commission was asked to review the Narcotics Act. It issued its final report in December 2017 recommending a regulated regime for medicinal cannabis.[3][4] In January 2018 lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu called on the government to legalise cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.[5] The call was rejected by Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi,[6] while Minister of Health Tuitama Talalelei Tuitama responded that cannabis needed to remain illegal for Biblical reasons.[7] In April 2019 a proposal by Australian medicinal cannabis company Leaf Relief for cannabis to be cultivated for medicinal use was also rejected.[8][9]

References

  1. [1]
    "Narcotics Act 1967". paclii.org. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  2. [2]
    Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu, Joyetter (February 19, 2018). "Narcotics Act outdated, Law Commission says". samoaobserver.com. Samoa Observer. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  3. [3]
    "Review of the Narcotics Act 1967 (Drugs Reform)" (PDF). Samoa Law Reform Commission. December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  4. [4]
    Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu (13 January 2018). "Commission completes review of Narcotics Act". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  5. [5]
    Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu (3 January 2018). "Lawyer calls on Govt. to legalise marijuana". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  6. [6]
    "P.M. rejects call to legalise marijuana". Samoa Observer. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  7. [7]
    Elizabeth Ah-Hi (25 January 2018). "Minister cites Biblical reasons for drug ban". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  8. [8]
    Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (25 April 2019). "P.M. slams door on cannabis cultivation proposal". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  9. [9]
    "Samoa says no to proposal for medicinal marijuana". Talanei. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2022.


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