WHY WON’T THEY FREE THAT LITTLE TREE?

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ast-forward to 2018. One by one, countries realize the financial benefits of the decriminalization route, and flock to cash-in. So this begs the question: What, if any, compensation will they give? Many, whose lives were affected and torn apart, watch and wait in anticipation to see what their respective governments will do. Will they decriminalize marijuana, and will they, like the Antiguan government, even consider compensation? Only time will tell.” The preceding was taken from a previous article in the STAR on February 17. All these questions are still unanswered as they relate to Saint Lucia but now, on the heels of their annual ‘St. Lucia 420 Cannabis March’, the Cannabis Movement of Saint Lucia is again calling upon the government for various changes with regards to marijuana legislation.

At a recent press briefing, the chairman of the movement, Andre Decaires, outlined recommendations which have been made to the government. “ . . . We’d like to see an amnesty for those people languishing in prison. The third thing we’d like to see, is permission for the industrial hemp initiative, this is one of the milestones that we’ve reached. In 1998 we submitted a project proposal to the government; we’re in 2018—that’s twenty years we’ve been actually asking for permission, so this is a huge milestone.”

This is an argument always being made—that persons incarcerated at the Bordelais Correctional Facility for marijuana possession should be released and that individuals should not be arrested and imprisoned in the first place for such offences. But does this relate to individuals caught with small amounts or those with intent to supply? Do we know exactly how many inmates are at Bordelais for this offence? Maybe the Cannabis Movement or the relevant authorities could disclose the actual number of persons who are currently at the Facility for possession of marijuana.

At the same press briefing, Aaron Alexander, Public Relations Officer of the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR), seemed very irate responding to comments made by former Agriculture Minister and current MP for Vieux Fort North, Moses Jn. Baptiste. The MP had previously stated, “We were always of the view that the Caribbean should approach this in a united way because if you have decriminalization in various countries and not in others, especially in the OECS economic union, you can envisage the challenges.”

It is interesting to note that Antigua and Barbuda, one of the ten member states of the OECS, has taken steps to decriminalize cannibis. Apparently, Antigua didn’t get the memo from Moses!

A visibly upset Alexander questioned the MP’s stance: “I really wonder where Mr. Musa has been for all those years, I mean, the train has left the station ever since. Jamaica has gone ahead and do what they’re doing and we’re here sleeping on us.” He added, “He was minister of agriculture for all those years. What did he do to assist the Cannabis Movement when presentations were made to him?”

He also offered some advice to the current Agriculture Minister and the government: “This present minister of agriculture, I hope he learn from this kind of things, and he move very decisively on this thing, because this has potential to really benefit the farmers. There are a lot of things that the government can look to create employment. Whether it be the former government or this present, they are all the same, they pay lip service when in opposition, when they come they do the same thing.”

This industry can provide many opportunities for much-needed employment and income. According to a report from the Brightfield Group (a cannabis market research firm), the global market is estimated to be worth US$7.7 billion. The versatile plant has many uses (an estimated 50,000 according to various publications). For instance, it can be used for medicine, fuel, paper, food, rope, clothes, nets, soap, shoes and paint. But, as lucrative as the industry may appear, one aspect which should be given some serious attention is its effect on the youth (especially teenagers). It is undeniable, that the smoking of the herb has negatively affected some of them. Some parents share the horror story of their child ‘going off’ as a result of smoking as a teenager. Can this be substantiated? Some will emphatically say yes! It is necessary that medical personnel add their voice to the discussion. Although illegal in Saint Lucia, marijuana is still easily accessible. If or when decriminalization takes place, what measures will be put in place to educate and inform? Many unanswered questions are still in the balance.