Changes to the UAE's drug laws will limit criminal action against people found to be carrying products which contain cannabis extracts.
Items with traces of the drug – such as the THC compound – will instead be seized and destroyed, with no punishment for first-time possession.
Those caught with such items again, however, could face prosecution.
Some medical items and foods, such as hemp-based products, can carry extremely low levels of THC, which is the main stimulative compound in cannabis.
New amendments to UAE legislation, to come into force in January, have removed the prospect of many people inadvertently falling foul of the law.
But those in possession of e-cigarettes filled with cannabis extract will continue to face criminal charges.
“Not only legal professionals but doctors, psychiatrists, social experts and others came together to revise the law and produce one that prioritises rehabilitation and the welfare of society,” said Ali Galadari, senior judge at the Dubai Court of Cassation.
Consuming drugs is a crime and the revised law does not change this rule. Therefore, people found in possession of substances such as CBD oil in e-cigarettes will be charged, he said.
“Carrying vape cigarettes that are filled with CBD oil is different from carrying food or drink or medicine that contain THC,' the judge said.
“Smokers are very aware of what their cigarettes contain, so they should be able to know if it's CBD oil and not think that the revised law will spare them penalty.
“If in doubt about the ingredients of their vaping juice, they should simply buy them from licensed shops.”
What has changed?
Previously, people carrying products that include traces of cannabis would have been detained and referred to prosecutors on charges of drug importation or possessing.
A criminal case would have followed and a conviction meant a prison sentence of up to 10 years and deportation for expatriates.
After major legal changes in November, such items found on people arriving in the country will instead be confiscated and destroyed.
Article 96 states it “shall not be considered punishable by law an action of bringing in, importing, transmitting, or possessing food, drinks or other products which ingredients contain drugging or mind-altering substances mentioned in parts of tables 1, 4, 5 and 6 of this law”.
These listed substances include cannabis, cannabis resin and extracts and tinctures of cannabis, morning glory, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Dronabinol, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its stereochemical variants.
“This change, among other changes to the country’s drug law, addressed a debate we often had as judges which is whether a drug user is a criminal, or a patient,” Mr Galadari said.
“This has been addressed and the law clearly prioritises rehabilitation and what is best for the defendants themselves and for the country and the society.”
A first-time offence will not be regarded as a crime of possessing drugs for personal use.
However, an official report must document the incident and the substances confiscated must be referred to the relevant authorities to handle the process of destroying them.
“I saw many people get charged with bringing in products that contain THC that are allowed in their countries, but they had no idea it was not allowed in the UAE,” said Ayham Al Moghrabi, a legal consultant.
“However, people carrying products whose ingredients may be questionable need to read the tables attached to the drug law – which are widely available online – because carrying other substances in any form is still punishable.”
Other significant changes to UAE’s anti-narcotics law include cutting minimum jail terms and setting up specialist detention centres as an alternative to prison.
These will provide treatment and rehabilitation programmes, sports and vocational training, as well as family, occupational and social integration initiatives.
“I assume these centres will, very soon – within this year – be ready, especially as the country now has extensive experience in this issue,” Mr Galadari said.
Deportation for foreigners in drug cases is no longer mandatory, with judges able to decide if someone convicted is allowed to stay.
“When it comes to when I may consider deportation, I need look at all details, before I decide,” Mr Galadri said.
“For instance, I need to see whether the defendant is a resident, a visitor, a first timer, or if the person has a criminal record, and other details that will help me decide what is best for the person, his family and the community.”
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Overall head-to-head
Federer 6-1 Cilic
Head-to-head at Wimbledon
Federer 1-0 Cilic
Grand Slams titles
Federer 18-1 Cilic
Best Wimbledon performance
Federer: Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Cilic: Final (2017*)
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
