National Security Minister Philip La Corbiniere has been receiving some backlash this week for comments he made about his Government’s position on decriminalizing marijuana. Both Andre Decaires of the Green Party and Aaron Alexander of the Rastafarian group ICAR have called the Minister’s comments premature saying that there needs to be proper debate and discussion on the matter. LPM leader Therold Prudent also supported “taking the matter before the people and letting them decide.”
This week, Minister La Corbiniere hinted to reporters that the Saint Lucia Government would not support plans to decriminalize marijuana for medicinal and religious activities.
La Corbiniere says he remains unconvinced about decriminalizing marijuana.
“If I were to have the deciding vote, it would be a no,” he says. “Maybe part of that relates to the fact that I grew up on the outskirts of the city where I was able to witness first hand the development of the drug problem. The problem actually started with marijuana, let us not forget that it was the drug of choice on the streets for many years, and probably some ten years ago,” he adds.
The issue of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes came up earlier this month during the CARICOM leaders inter-sessional summit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The heads discussed the issue of medicinal marijuana as well as exploring the economic benefits that might be derived from marijuana cultivation.
A communiqué issued following the talks says: “The leaders agreed to the establishment of a Regional Commission to address the issues identified and any others deemed relevant, in order to provide clear guidance with regard to decisions to be taken.”
The Commission is expected to submit a report to the regional leaders at their annual summit in Antigua in July.
Jamaica is already considering the legalization of marijuana, a drug revered by members of the island’s large Rastafarian population who say smoking it is part of their religious sacrament. A seven-member government commission has been researching possible changes to the Caribbean nation’s anti-drug laws. ‘’We have discussed it, and we are preparing a report to present to the prime minister,’’ said Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh recently. In 2003, a government commission recommended legalizing marijuana in small amounts for personal use, but lawmakers never acted, saying legalization might entail loss of their country’s U.S. anti-drug certification.
If given a chance LaCorbiniere says he would bring to any discussions both here and at the CARICOM level
the question as to what good use can marijuana be put. “Is there any impelling scientific factor that gives rise to the use of the drug? I would like to see a lot more discussed on that issue,” LaCorbiniere says.
The Justice Minister’s last statement appears to be a clear contradiction to his firm position, since the Minister, who is also a devout Catholic, seems to have his mind made up, despite compelling evidence in support of medicinal marijuana.
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If Colorado can use ganja dollars .....why not stlucia........it is available in every corner .......what's the point........if tobacco and white rhum is legal who decides which is better ,I think it should be the people mr arrogant la cobbs who the hell you think you are to impose your will on the masses ....I've need a referendum on the rope .....more jail time for gun crime ,rape,incest and bobolink in politics.....we need a referendum now ....those old colonialistic laws need to be amended..........that's what I vote lacobbs and Kenny to do....no tell me which vice to like....choops
The problem is you have idiots making choices as to how you should live your life. I mean look at Kenny, his belly is so massive that I fear we might not have rain for weeks to come, the clouds are being pushed away by that sulphur spring round mountain. I saw Kenny Barnard talking about compensation for the damage caused by the slave trade on St. Lucia, Really? Your ancestors owned plantations and now you want to balme de white man for your failing economy. Laba is brain dead, no new ideas for fixing the economic crisis, just blame everyone but yourself for the current dilemma. Legalize weed mon, stop playing gamed with the people's intelligence, you are very insulting...
when you say that weed the cause of all social ills, you are the cause. Why is it that the dumbest people are always interested in telling you what is good for you and how you should life, what arrogance? LaCobs talks as if he knows the future, well that's the first clue to let you know that de man dow know nofing.
the only reason marijuana is not yet fully decriminalized yet in the US is because that greedy uncle Sam can't figure out a way to get his cut yet. The same thing happened with alcohol when they figured out how to tax guess what boom it was legal, look even today with alcohol being legal for many years they are still running down moonshiners because they pay no tax. Everything in this world has a $ sign to it. In life everyone has a price some are just higher or lower than others.Crap cigarettes are legal and can you believe you who don't smoke how high your chances are from getting cancer from second hand smoking, just ridiculous,very ridiculous
come on La Cob
Remember once society took the road down the use of alcohol as a legalised entity they did not, could not, and can't to this day return from whence they came. The result of this experimental path which is not an experiment any more but an experience of destruction, tragic and painful in every respect, is good reason to halt before taking another wrongful approach. Human sensibility is uncontrollable in the presence of vise. We are not all self controlling individuals when given license, most quickly abuse, and few measure consequence, or are rationally responsible when they can indulge. These facts far out-weight my desire to see marijuanna be decriminalised.
@John Joseph, it is obvious that you don't know how to think for yourself and at the same time you try to think for everybody else. See how stupid you sound, a confused do gooder with too much time on his hands. Let people have freedom to live their life, just make sure that they are well informed and aware of what they are doing, but if a man wants to jump off the Gros Piton, that's his choice as long as he understands what he is doing. You and La Cobs must drink from the same bottle.
what do you think is going to happen to marijuana in st.lucia once it is decriminalized through out the U.S?
Simply put the advocacy of religious use and medicinal use as a reason for legalization must be measured by sound drug policy that allows for the control of and proper distribution of the drug without the disruption of society. This was not done with alcohol and we are ripping the results today in many societies. Should we legalize the poppy and its by products too?. But it has for centuries being used for medicinal, religious and relaxing in many societies of which we may very well have members who have migrated and may desire to continue the practise the rudiments of their religion and culture. Where does it end and begin. Remember once society took the road down the use of alcohol as a...
Just because people want it doesn't mean government must give it. In the absence of compelling evidence that Marijuana will not adversely affect the society negatively even if it does have some medicinal qualities the government is right as the government has a responsibility to protect the society they govern. Having said this I am of the view just because it has medicinal benefits doesn't mean that the government should openly legalize the drug for the use of all and sundry. Then let it be a controlled substance, the use of which is regulated the same as any other drug that is prescribed by a medical practitioner. Simply put the advocacy of religious use and medicinal use as a reason...
One of the people sent abroad on our behalf, that the GG refered to, is working so hard on his Legal Course that when ever he is asked to do anything as part of his job he replies "bold face" as only a SLP hack can. "Man I have my exams in August". Does he need to piss in our eyes so openly. Can this government not see they are getting out of touch with what the majority of St. Lucians think. Can they not see this is going to be painful for them at the ballot box. ? For those of you who think that the Govenor General's remark can be ignored. You will be reminded.
I had not noticed that the GG's condemnation of the Government was taken off. Poor Rick. I will wait for Rick to explain himself before I pass judgement. No Rick I am not a Foolish Virgin who thinks it will be Aright in the Morning. I await your reply in fairness to you and your paper. Simply put, why did the Star take down an article that had so much truth in it.
Dear Editor, Can you explain why the Govenor General's address printed in this paper as an online article was removed ? This is very very strange. If somebody demanded that you removed the address and you did. Well this is a strange way of bringing Truth to Light.
History will in a time not too far from now. Cite your actions as the first blow dealt against the True Freedom of the Press. I can no longer take this paper seriously. Let me go and read a comic book. Now I know how poor Tim felt when this paper were standing by him. Sad Sad Sad.