Topic: To what extent should marijuana be legalized in Trinidad and Tobago? In Trinidad and Tobago the use and possession of marijuana is illegal. This research paper then presents a discussion on the legal debate on marijuana by highlighting the legal issues and discussing to what extent marijuana should be legalized in Trinidad and Tobago. The first legal issue discussed in this document is the harsh or punitive nature of the Dangerous Drug Act and classification of marijuana. Cannabis Sativa, or any other name referred to, be it Ganja, marijuana, weed or "Mary Jane", under the Dangerous Drugs Act is classified as a dangerous drug and is included in the First Schedule list of narcotics. Possession of any quantity is an offense punishable, on summary conviction, by a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for five years; and upon conviction by indictment to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for five to ten years. Current legislation allows people to be criminally punished for minor crimes. People in possession of as little as 2 grams of marijuana faced incarceration. This is unnecessary as it creates permanent criminal records for people who may have simply been experimenting. Furthermore, the other legal issues discussed in this paper are that prohibition has in no way helped curb the crime problem in Trinidad and Tobago, but it can. it can be said to have increased it. Prohibition failed to control the domestic use and production of marijuana. Therefore, with the necessary legislative reform, a reduction in crime could be achieved. Furthermore, it can be argued that the current ban could violate the fundamental rights of Rastafarians under the Constitution... middle of paper ......exporting small quantities of marijuana for personal use. This would be equivalent to considering the consumption and possession of marijuana for private use as legal or only mildly punishable, leaving its distribution a criminal offense. Decriminalization is often seen as a middle ground between prohibition and legalization. Decriminalization would leave marijuana in much the same legal position as alcohol during Prohibition: legal to possess and use but not to sell. Decriminalization would reduce the number of arrests made and save law enforcement resources. This would relieve some pressure on the police force and save costs. However, in the event of decriminalization, despite the absence of sanctions against possession, marijuana would still not be freely purchasable. It can therefore be suggested that the wisest decision legislators should make is to decriminalize marijuana.