WESTERN BUREAU
AN AMERICAN MAN who told police he thought everyone in Jamaica smoked ganja when he was caught with a spliff along a beach, was fined in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wed-nesday.
Khareem Simmonds, from California, was arrested with a 16-year-old youth when they were seen sharing a spliff under a tree on Cornwall Beach on Tuesday.
The court heard the police were patrolling when they saw the teenager handing the paper cigar to Simmonds. They were approached and it was discovered they were smoking ganja.
It was heard that when he was arrested Simmonds told the police under caution, he thought everyone in Jamaica smoked ganja.
In court Simmonds said it was his first visit to the island but he knew persons in California who had medical permission to smoke ganja. When pressed he said he did not have a medical card giving him permission.
He was fined $100 plus court cost of $600 or 10 days.
The teen, well known by the probation office, was offered bail in his own surety of $10,000 and put under curfew to be home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. He returns on August 3.
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