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 "Narcotics Act outdated, Law Commission says".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