Calls made for Gov’t to commit to decriminalizing marijuana use

By: Staff Reporter, SKNVibes.com

 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris standing firm on the laws of the Federation that prohibit the use of marijuana, the Rastafarian community is not buying into it.

On Saturday last (Aug. 27), those calling for its decriminalization took to the street to protest the announcement made by the Prime Minister at one of his recent town hall meetings.

Pointing to an article published in one of the local newspapers, Ras Iroy, Chairman of the Organization of the Rastafarians in Unity, strongly criticized both Dr. Harris and his comments.

In a media interview, Iroy disclosed that Saturday’s marched marked a major occasion for his Organization because they have been fighting for a number of causes affecting the Rastafarian community in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“This year we are paying special attention to the herbs, the holy herbs – the Cannabis,” he said. “They are coming around with all forms of talks and different kind of ideologies and we are saying that it is about time they come to the real essence of the matter.”

The Chairman took a swipe at the police indicating that they have been arresting a number of individuals for small amounts of Marijuana, a product he claimed does not have any harmful effect on the body.

Additionally, he pointed out that a number of persons have used it to assist with their health.

Since several states within the United States of America legalized it on a local government level, a number of countries with the Caribbean and around the world have either decriminalized and/or considered making its use legal – but only in small proportions.

Dr. Harris, at the Government’s town hall meeting, pointed out that persons from a number of countries in the region have found it difficult to source financing for such products. Additionally, he indicated that governments are also experiencing such difficulty since decriminalizing the use of marijuana.

Further, St. Kitts and Nevis is not a community by itself and if such decriminalization is made, Dr. Harris said, possible actions could be taken.

Many have - in recent times - expressed concerns over the possible fallout from the decriminalization of such; with some youth gravitating to this as the most viable prospect for gainful employment.

However, the Prime Minister charged that a national conversation is needed before any firm decision is taken on that matter.