The three-member team of the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Training Academy were no match for the St Georges High School trio at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) marijuana debate last evening, Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the Road Town Police Station as part of the RVIPF ‘Police Week’ line of activities. Photo: VINO

The night’s activity saw a blend of police and civilians with senior students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) moderating with Superintendent of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and ESHS’s Talisha Jones while the timekeeper was also an ESHS student. Photo: VINO

Team of judges led by Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo. The other judges were Jian S. K. Jeffers along with ESHS students Akeya Herbert and Jordan Dawson. Photo: VINO

The challenged was ‘for’ and ‘against’ the moot, “Cannabis should be decriminalised for medicinal and religious use in the Virgin Islands,” between the high school students and the police officers.

Don’t judge the book by its cover

They opposing team—the Police Training Academy—may have thought they had it all wrapped up for an easy win, however, first speaker, high school student Olivia Freeman took a mildly toned opening presentation and the police came out punchy and strong. However, they were no match for the next two speakers of the proposing team, Nathan Cousins and Taynia Christopher.

Mr Cousins in his Jamaican accent brought out the “weed loving” culture of his homeland and his points argued were hard-hitting, “Religious belief is a sacred belief, vital to each individual, therefore if an individual believes that marijuana allows them to connect with their God or their supreme being on a spiritual level, then it is unjust that the laws of the land are infringing upon that persons constitutional rights,” he said.

He further questioned why should people be imprisoned for exercising their fundamental right to practice their religion daily, “Law Officials are you saying that the rights of the people are irrelevant in this territory? Are you saying that the people have no input whatsoever on the decriminalization of marijuana for religious practices? Is it the place of the law to regulate mankind’s spiritual belief, his personal worship in his home, temple, church, or in any other sacred space?” the youth implored.

Marijuana use leads to addiction – Police

One would have thought that by the third speaker for the police, Constable James Ramprashad, he would have sealed the win for his team when he came out with a strong hard hitting rebuttal, but none were expecting the quiet looking Taynia Christopher to unleash a whipping to seal the win for St Georges.

She articulated firmly in the following closing points, “Lastly the opposition brought up the argument that marijuana use can lead to addiction. Which in fact is the truth however, anything can be an addiction... Overeating, sex, exercising and even working are all examples of activities that are beneficial but if overdone can cause harm to a person,” she said while pointing out that her team does not endorse marijuana, rahter, want to see it being used in a banificial way.

The night’s activity saw a blend of police and civilians with senior students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) moderating with Superintendent of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool and ESHS’s Talisha Jones while the timekeeper was also an ESHS student.

Mr Cousins was judged the best speaker of the debate and came in for high praise from the team of judges led by Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo. The other judges were Jian S. K. Jeffers along with ESHS students Akeya Herbert and Jordan Dawson. The debate was judged as a very good performance by both sides.