Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Time to decriminalise marijuana in the VI - Karl M. Scatliffe

-noted restrictions would need to be put in place to protect youths
Former President of the BVI Taxi Association and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Fourth District Candidate in the 2019 General Elections, Mr Karl M. Scatliffe, says it is time the territory follows international trends and decriminalise marijuana, however, in making the drug legal, restrictions must be in place to prevent abuse from vulnerable groups. Photo: VINO/File
Marijuana use in the territory and the need to protect youths from the drug has been placed under the microscope in the Tuesday, October 15, 2019, edition of 'Honestly Speaking' with host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Internet Source
Marijuana use in the territory and the need to protect youths from the drug has been placed under the microscope in the Tuesday, October 15, 2019, edition of 'Honestly Speaking' with host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Former President of the BVI Taxi Association and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Fourth District Candidate in the 2019 General Elections, Mr Karl M. Scatliffe, says it is time the territory follow international trends and decriminalise marijuana, however, there must be restrictions in place to prevent drug abuse from vulnerable groups.

Mr Scatliffe was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, October 15, 2019, edition of 'Honestly Speaking' with host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, when the conversation turned to marijuana use in the territory.  

Marijuana always in VI

"Growing up here... we were users when it comes to marijuana... back then I can tell you, it was like a hippie era, there was a lot of marijuana use," he told Mr Skelton-Cline and the listening audience. 

However, he noted that today with youths, "because of a sporting perspective, I don't tolerate that... because you get tested on a regular basis," and as such, from a sports professional view he is against the use of the drugs with young adults and athletes.  

"The other part of it like you said, was just a passing thought thing," he noted in agreeing with Mr Skelton-Cline that the territory was never high on the use of the drug, rather, as a gateway for trafficking.

"We weren't the type of persons to be hooked on that type of stuff... but the marijuana it was illegal... and we did it."

He however noted that in today's age, society is trying to find ways how the drug can be consumed and be accepted as the norm. 

Decriminalisation 

According to Mr Scatliffe, while many are being incarcerated for the use and possession of the drug in small amounts, that only leads to an overpopulation of the prison system.

"From the research that I've seen and the conversations and the stuff that I've seen... the marijuana, it's a natural something that works in different ways for different people so to decriminalise it, yes I would," he told Skelton-Cline and the listening audience.  

"Right now in this day and age this is the direction that every country wants to go, why not us?" he question.

Mr Scatiffe noted, however, that with making the substance legal even for medicinal purposes, it is still a drug that can have adverse effects on youths and as such, they would need protection via laws governing the use.  

19 Responses to “Time to decriminalise marijuana in the VI - Karl M. Scatliffe ”

  • high (19/10/2019, 16:39) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m high right now tbh
  • Listen (19/10/2019, 16:40) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Its time to LEGALIZE

    LEGALIZE THE HERB.

    "it's a natural something that works in different ways for different people"

    Stop playing safe catering to people who do not understand.

    He doesnt support it because hes into sports. Cmon! Does he think it is right that athletes are not allowed to use a natural HEALING plant?

    Lets go all in! Instead of playing service to the slavery mentality that caused this injustice.

    Respect for speaking out either way.
    • True (20/10/2019, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Look in the Gazette tomorrow and feel blessing on the VI getting high without incarceration , you heard it here first
  • ccc (19/10/2019, 17:25) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Everyone just jumping on the band wagon
  • Observer (19/10/2019, 19:23) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    What is so special about this drug and the rush to legalize it? Is it because monkey see and monkey do? I just don’t get it. I have spoken to folks who either smoke and or have ate it in cake or otherwise and to me what I gather is that it gives you a good feeling - like a high special feeling. I am not interested in getting that feeling tall! Not so adventurous.

    With all drugs there is good and bad. Too each it’s own who want to use it but for this drug to be legalize many factors must come into play such as quantity for consumption and amendment of laws/regulation by authorities so abuse does not take place. We have a long way to go to see this legalization come to fruition.
    • ... (20/10/2019, 13:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      It has been a long road. Time for change.

      Sorry you do not understand, that alone makes you unfit to speak of any restrictions as your opinion is uneducated.
  • Jordana (19/10/2019, 23:38) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I must admit that I concur with Karl to decriminalize the use of it but only to a certain extent..yes it is a natural plant but using it can have both positive and negative results...a child’s brain for example is not fully developed until age 25 yrs and it’s use can kill developing brain cells.. as we all know marijuana has 2 components to it - THC which will get u “high” (psychoactive)and CBD which will not..marijuana has also been shown to help with many health conditions where traditional medicines does not alleviate certain symptoms.. Weed has like 120 different components to it but only the above 2 are mainly focused on and no one really knows the effect of the other 118.. I am all for the medicinal use of marijuana but again as it relates to decriminalizing i fully agree with “the Observer” that proper legislation need to be put in place to prevent the overuse of same.. but the drawback is is that when u give people an inch they tend to take a mile .. so all in all I would say we have to tread carefully on this topic.. and yes many US countries are decriminalizing it on the basis that it is “natural”.. but again we have to
    Very careful how we walk.. the documentary “weeds” by Dr. Sanjay Gupta will shed light on the benefits of CBD—I believe as a country this is perhaps what we should be looking and investing in. In the US it’s used to treat so many ailments including cancer, chronic pain, and other health conditions..
  • tretretrete (20/10/2019, 06:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI is failing itself... Because leaders don't have courage and we've been having leaders that are not born to lead.... Hence our Treasury Empty.. That a leaders job to get moneied in our Treasury. To build BVI but we have been going backwards... As for Marijuana and Casino nothing is wrong with legalizing them if policies and laws are put in place to ensure that they are safe and profitable... There will always be some loud knows when tough decision has to made.. Tough decision are what make leaders great.... I can recall when NDP was doing that road next to Noel Lloyd part there was hardly any support for it. Look how nice and useful it is today..... The 4 lane Road the same... NDP to me lead with courage. They allow greed and power to corrupt them and device them.. With NDP marijuana would have been decriminalized in a small amount Maybe a ticket and seizure for use in public place... The strike rule... Two tickets. Then the third time you go before the magistrate for punishment...
    • @ Hmmm from HTNOTH (21/10/2019, 15:03) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Our infrastructure is not ready to handle introduction of casinos and weed decriminalization. How is Holland doing after decriminalization of the weed? Let me know.
  • First Blood (20/10/2019, 07:04) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    "Mr Scatiffe noted, however, that with making the substance legal even for medicinal purposes, it is still a drug that can have adverse effects on youths and as such, they would need protection via laws governing the use."

    ARE THERE NOT LAWS IN PLACE TIME GOVERN THE USE OF MARIJUANA? WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL THIS MAN DOES NOT OVERSTAND?

  • Jordana (20/10/2019, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @hmmn.. I hear you re: leaders being able to make hard decisions; however our leaders have to make decisions that’s in the Best interest of our country and our people alike .. it’s not all about economics viability.. things like marijuana use and casinos yes can generate revenues for the BVI but what about the negative impact it can have on the population as a whole/families ?.. this type of legislation is not easy 1,2,3.. it takes time and research.. and I don’t see for example decriminalizing marijuana “off the bat” as us as a country going backward.. you are looking at this from a singular view instead of the gravity of such a decision/legislation and the ramifications it can have like I said on our people as well..
    • ... (20/10/2019, 13:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have you thought of the negative impact demonizing a plant has had on our country and our people?

      If it was all about the negative impact alcohol would be illegal.

      Black people love bush tea. We make all kind of bush tea.

      Its all about perception, creation of a class system and keeping certain people down.
  • True (20/10/2019, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI GOV Gazette tomorrow, check it out as "free the weed" is going to happen. no longer a criminal offence!
  • Fran (20/10/2019, 12:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    For my glycoma I have my plants in small pots and use it for myself only. My vision has improved greatly. I am not harming anyone, but improving myself. So yes I am sad I have to hide medicine from this plant to save my vision. Stop arresting people with small amounts on them that they use for themselves. You don’t know what their health issues are. Thank you.
  • Hit the nail on the head (20/10/2019, 18:59) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Many of you who are jumping on the band wagon of the decriminalization of the weed, know not what you talk about.

    Since 1937 the USA government banned or greatly limited the use of this herb because the big Pharma there was losing money big time to home remedies, naturalists, and homeopathic doctors and now the same USA government has decriminalize it in several states by allowing vast tracks of land to be cultivated for personal and commercial use.

    All of you who are blogging must ask yourself why now?

    WHAT IS THE AGENDA?

    The weed that most persons are getting in the USA is synthetic or GMO weed with different properties that are more deadly to the brain cells; hence more violent behavior on its own or when mixed with other drugs.

    It is not as organic as the strain in the Caribbean and other places, but before long those strains would also become contaminated deliberately making them synthetic or GMO as well.

    Do not be fooled!

    Do not smoke the weed!

    Do not decriminalize it BVI government!

    Do not fall in the trap!

    We are heading for a melt down of society in the USA, other developed countries and eventually the rest of the world.

    It is about depopulation through chaos that comes from weed usage which has proven this type of addiction to transition to heavier drugs resulting in violent and disruptive behaviour against society of stealing, assault, rape, murder, etc. to the point of epic proportions.

    Then what would the natural thing that BVI government would do.

    Would be to reach out to other organizations and governments outside its borders for help and unknowingly accept remedies that would enslave its population.

    The enemy has studied human behavior during the experiments that were covertly being done against Germans and others during the holocaust 1939 - 1945 World War II in Germany and other eastern European countries (which no one wants to talk about and the rise of the new science - psychiatry with drugs and shock treatments).

    No one can tell the difference of the new weed from the organic one.!

    Do your research!

    BVI Government, do not decriminalize the weed! It is a ruse or trickery to mash up or break down your society!
  • @Hit the nail on the head (21/10/2019, 11:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine if the slaves had said that

    "We have been in slavery since they brought us from Africa!
    Think my people why do they want to free us now?!
    They want to free us to create chaos and destroy our people!
    BVI Government, do not free the slaves!! It is a ruse or trickery to mash up or break down your society!"

    That is how silly you sound. Get your research from a source that doesnt spew conspiracies.

    Fact is most of the plant food we buy is GMO. Your peppers, your apples, your bananas

    Fact is cannabis breeding has been alive underground for years, and high end strains have been the result of skilled organic breeders. #Facts

  • (21/10/2019, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see that you have chosen to select certain crops to be GMO and have seeds, but failed to acknowledge that the weed grows from seeds.

    Don't you think that the weed will be GMO too?

    You need to pay attention to the UN, WHO, PAHO and other groups even the Pope are pressing for climate change, sustainability development and the time frame of 2020, 2030 and 2050? There are reasons for that. There are specific goals these groups intend to achieve by those times. Look all around us, disasters, trade wars and I said already - depopulation is the agenda coupled with total control of the human population. It is right in your face. Others are seeing it but to afraid to talk about it. The Bilderberg group meet every May and then release what they talk about and then over the years those subject matters become reality. I am awoke. You keep you head in the sand while the each year the agenda is falling into place. That is what Hitler did to the people of Germany who accept his lies of euphoria and ended up in the Gestapo, experiment labs and gas chambers before those who remained alive were rescued. The same is happening today. We are being told that everything is ok and all of a sudden the weed is being freed. Wake up my dear. The strains that are now being accessible are synthetic weed!
  • @(21/10/2019, 15:00) (22/10/2019, 10:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply


    Wake up my dear, the underground takes care of itself.

    "The strains that are now being accessible are synthetic weed!" Sorry that is pure uninformed opinion.

    There are seed banks legal and illegal that have been around for decades. You can buy real indica dominate Kush seeds straight from India, Pakistan, Nepal and more.

    People take cannabis breeding seriously and want nothing to do with GMO or companies like Monsanto.

    The Netherlands has longstanding legal seed banks.

    Have you ever seen "strain hunters"?

    Go online, check the weed forums, research. If you want to learn the real truth go to the people who do it illegally for your information.

    Breeders have been hard at work long before the 1990s when the legalization movement gained traction.

    This has been a grass roots movement from the start.

    The fact that it seem sudden to you, as a woke person, means you need to open your eyes wider.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.