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
^ abcde"Narcotics Act 1967". paclii.org. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
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