Woman Given Unconditional Discharge Over Ganja, But Was Ordered to Pay $181 Costs

By Alric Lindsay

A 22‑year‑old woman found with a small quantity of ganja and a grinder in a car was given an unconditional discharge — leaving her with no conviction recorded — and ordered to pay $181 in costs when she appeared before the Summary Court today, August 3, 2026.

The woman appeared before Magistrate Murray. The court heard that on November 8, 2025 police on patrol received information about a Honda Fit parked in a concealed spot near the junction of South Sound Road and Old Crewe Road. Officers approached and found the woman and another person inside; a strong smell of ganja led to a search, which turned up a small quantity of ganja — 3.88 grams — with rolling paper and a grinder in a container in the rear of the vehicle.   The woman admitted the grinder was hers and, in a later interview, that she had consumed ganja. She has no previous convictions.

In mitigation, her attorney, Stacy-Ann Kelly, said the woman, who has bipolar disorder diagnosed in childhood, had not been taking her medication at the time and had been using cannabis to cope with sleep and focus. The court heard she had been through a very difficult period and was admitted to a mental health ward since her arrest. She had since been stabilised on her medication — now administered by her mother — with a psychiatric appointment scheduled. She pled guilty at the first opportunity and asked that her matters be concluded so she could return to Jamaica.

Magistrate Murray discharged her unconditionally, recording no conviction, and ordered her to pay costs of $181.