06-03  israel official decriminalizes marijuana use
First-time offenders will face $270 fine if caught using marijuana in a public place,
​but criminal charges will only be brought if person re-offends four times

The cabinet approved on Sunday the decriminalized use of marijuana in Israel.
According to the proposal formulated by the Public Security and Justice ministries, any first-time offender caught using marijuana in public would receive a fine rather than face criminal action.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who led the reform, said that "the government's approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement." To implement the policy, an inter-ministerial team will be set up to propose amendments, regulations and the required changes to carry out the new policy.

MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), the chairwoman of the Knesset Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, said that "this is an important step, but not the end of the road. It sends a message that a million of Israelis who consume marijuana aren’t criminals. We will carry on following the details in the committee and ensure that the change is implemented."

Erdan is set to attend a special committee discussion on the decriminalization reform on Monday. The proposal was based on the conclusions of a committee headed by Public Security Ministry Director General Rotem Peleg, with the recommendations accepted by Erdan.
04-03 AKAE BEKA's 7e SHOW BEKEND!
Akae Beka zal ook optreden in de Melkweg, Amsterdam. De uit Amerika afkomstige iconische reggaeformatie Akae Beka werd in 2015 gevormd door de leden van de reggaeband Midnite. (NL) >>
According to the new policy, first-time offenders that are caught using marijuana in a public place will incur a fine of 1,000 shekels ($271) but the offender will not face criminal charges. The fine will be doubled on the second offense. The third offense will lead to probation, with the record of the offense only being expunged after a brief period. Only on the fourth offense will criminal charges be pressed. The money from the fines will go to financing antidrug education and treatment.
According to the new policy, if a minor is caught using marijuana he would be criminally investigated only if he refuses to take part in a treatment program, Erdan said. Erdan had said that Israel's marijuana arrest policy was reexamined due to legalization efforts around the world.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.775331

recente nieuwsitems:

03-03 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!
Subquake komt met een prachtig editie van Welcome to the Jungle. Niemand minder dan Congo Natty komt met Congo Dubs & Iron Dread de boel op de kop zetten. (NL) Lees meer >>
02-03 REGGAE FEVER 2017
Dit jaar zal de 3e editie van Reggae Fever gehouden worden. Wederom in Utrecht en Groningen. Ontdek snel de eerste namen! (NL) >>
23-02 INNA DE YARD (JA) NAAR BELGIE!
Rootslegendes Inna de Yard komt naar Belgie voor een optreden in April. Dit is echt een hele dikke aanrader. Rockers, The Congos, Viceroys >>
Reggae Agenda Nederland - 2017 (c)