It’s ‘high’ time: UAE eases drug laws

Dubai:: The United Arab Emirates has eased some of its harsh drug laws, relaxing penalties for travelers who arrive in the country with products containing Tetrahydrocannabinol THC, the main intoxicating chemical in cannabis. The new law, published in the UAE’s official gazette, says people caught carrying food, drinks and other items with cannabis into the country will no longer land in prison if it’s their first time. Instead, authorities will confiscate and destroy the products. The law marks a noteworthy change for one of the world’s most restrictive nations when it comes to importing common drugs for personal use, from cannabis to over-the-counter medications like narcotics, sedatives and amphetamines. The country prohibits the trafficking of drugs, with drug use punishable by four years in jail. Other changes include reducing minimum sentences from two years to three months for first-time drug offenders and offering convicts rehabilitation.