More than 4,200 inmates serving sentences for cannabis offences were initially eligible for release from prisons nationwide on Thursday, when the delisting of cannabis as a narcotic drug took effect.

However, those also convicted and sentenced for other offences were not being freed.

A total of 3,071 prisoners serving jail terms in single cannabis offences woud be released from prisons nationwide on Thursday.

The Public Health Ministry has announced that the removal of cannabis from the category 5 drug list is effective from Thursday, June 9.

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau said on Thursday that more than 4,200 prisoners in cannabis cases would be eligible for release. Cases pending investigation would also be dropped, and arrest warrants issued for cannabis use would be revoked.

Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug. A Ministry of Public Health announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Feb 9 took effect on June 9. This means the production, import, export, distribution, consumption and possession of cannabis for health and medical purpose is formally legalised.

However, possession and use of extracts with more than 0.2% THC, and recreational use of the drug, remain illegal.