Cannabis movement wants national address

In an interview with the STAR last week, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet disclosed his government had reached a decision to decriminalize cannabis and ultimately explore commercial opportunities in the medical industry.  On Wednesday, chairman of the Cannabis Movement, Mr. Andre De Caires, expressed his support but not without some reservations. “It’s incumbent on the leader of the country to make a formal announcement with an issue like that,” he said. “That’s just proper protocol and respect for the nation. We’re hoping for a national address, so that everybody knows the rules and regulations. That’s the correct and best way to roll out a policy covering an issue so contentious.” 

De Caires said there were a number of components the address should feature, including a moratorium on incarceration and eradication, and an amnesty for prisoners. On the other hand,  Aaron Alexander of the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari has continued ICAR’s call for an apology to  the Rastafarian community, similar to that by Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne last year. During Browne’s presentation of his Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill he offered an apology to Antigua’s Rastafarian community for their suffered “brutalization”.   Alexander believes that an apology must form part of the many steps to be taken before decriminalization.

“We all know who has suffered the brunt of persecution for cannabis,” said Alexander, “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. So if the prime minister is genuine, and he’s looking forward to decriminalization and legalization for Saint Lucia to realize some benefits, I think it’s only fair that he should address the human casualties in this so-called war on drugs.” He added: “They must look at ways and means of having some sort of reparations for the damage that was done to the Rastafari community.” Alexander is sceptical of the decriminalization announcement by the prime minister. “Never trust a politician,” he said. “Never take the word of a politician unless you see something actually happening.”

The STAR caught up with both advocates at a meeting this week, in advance of the registration of a proposed cannabis cooperative. Rock Jean, who said that the focus was on understanding the principles of a cooperative, facilitated the meeting. An interim committee has been established and will undergo a series of training sessions from the ministry of agriculture’s cooperative department.