This past Friday, the Jamaican Senate passed a bill that would decriminalize marijuana for medical, religious and scientific purposes. As a result, the Inquisitr reports that the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana would no longer warrant an arrest, but a ticket instead.

The Huffington Post reports that the cultivation of up to five marijuana plants would be permitted, which is very different from Jamaican laws of the past that made marijuana possession charges result in as much as five years in prison and a fine.

What's more, check out this interesting coincidence - the bill was passed on what would have been Bob Marley's 70^th birthday. Marley was both a musician and a global icon, and was widely known for his connection to marijuana.

He publicly advocated for it, and once said, "Herb, herb is a plant.  I mean herbs are good for everything. Why, why these people who want to do so much good for everyone, who call themselves governments and this and that. Why them say you must not use the herb? Them just say, 'No, you mustn't use it, you mustn't use it because it will make you rebel.' Against what?"

However, Marley's views were still met with some disdain as marijuana possession was just as taboo in Jamaica as it was anywhere else. Now, things could change drastically. Rastafarians - who see cannabis use a sacrament - would be allowed to legally smoke marijuana for religious purposes. Registered health professionals would also be able to prescribe cannabis for various sicknesses.

Jamaican Minister of Justice Mark Goldberg wrote on the subject, "The objective is to provide a more enlightened approach to dealing with possession of small quantities and smoking, while still meeting the ends of justice. The proposed changes represent an approach which will endure to the benefit of the persons concerned and the society as a whole, and reduce the burdens on the court system." You can read his entire statement here.

Jamaica's House of Representatives still has to vote on the bill before it can officially be made into law. However, the Huffington Post reports that it is supported by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and is expected to pass.