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Persons imprisoned for marijuana could be freed, records expunged- Hon Malone

- said once distinction is made that use was medical & not recreational
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says with the passing of the VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' those who have been previously charged with marijuana possession and other related crimes, could be freed of those crimes once they can prove it was for medicinal use. Photo: GIS/File
After the Third reading of the bill, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) warned that it is not a licence for the recreational use of marijuana, rather for medicinal use only. Photo: Facebook/File
After the Third reading of the bill, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) warned that it is not a licence for the recreational use of marijuana, rather for medicinal use only. Photo: Facebook/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says with the passing of the VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020', those who have been previously charged with marijuana possession and other related crimes could be freed once they can prove it was for medicinal use.

"Like many other jurisdictions, we are finding that there is an anomaly or an imbalance that is being created, which must be addressed earliest as possible," Hon Malone said at the June 30, 2020, sitting of the House of Assembly.

Previous convictions for medicinal use 

He said with the imbalance, "there are often a large number of persons who would have ended up in courts and the prison systems for possession of very small quantities of cannabis such as the range of the volume we are seeking to decriminalise through the medical marijuana legislation."

He said, notwithstanding chronic abuses, there are instances where persons who were held by the police and pleaded that it was for medicinal purposes. 

According to Hon Malone, with the passing of the law, it is unfair for persons previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes to be walking around with a record and stain on their name, hindering them from getting a police certificate, and in some instances a job.

"But someone else who commits the act after the discrimination takes effect does not face the same hurdle."

Levelling the playing field 

He said the fair thing to do is to level the playing field through a mechanism that would remove the blemish for actions committed before the decriminalisation of the plant. 

It is unclear how soon the government will be undertaking measures to remove records of persons prosecuted for marijuana use as specified by Hon Malone.

After the Third reading of the bill, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) warned that it is not a licence for the recreational use of marijuana, rather for medicinal use only.

31 Responses to “Persons imprisoned for marijuana could be freed, records expunged- Hon Malone”

  • vix (02/07/2020, 16:28) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    What kind of double standard is this those people are in person for elegal use I know of country where this thing is legal and people still go to person because it was sopose to be for medical use only by respect u all have your hands full I hope when this thing get out of control those police officer better brace them self
    • @ vix (02/07/2020, 17:23) Like (8) Dislike (11) Reply
      Shut your trap and go back down the island where you from
    • Praying (02/07/2020, 17:42) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      Don’t release my boyfriend out balo now to come home and beat me
      • @ praying (02/07/2020, 19:19) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
        He should throw some blows in you
      • NezRez (03/07/2020, 12:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Praying. You are afraid of your boyfriend getting out so you won’t get beaten?
        a) you still consider him your boyfriend?
        b) is it his apartment or yours? If it is yours, change the locks, tell him it’s over and don’t let him in
        c) If it’s his, find somewhere else to live and give him his keys.
        d) if you still will allow him to beat you, he will be jailed for assault
        e) if you can’t take any of this advice and continue this dangerous living arrangement, then it’s your sore bruised behind. People only do to you what you allow to do. I hope you listen.
  • VIP BABY (02/07/2020, 16:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY
  • great (02/07/2020, 16:42) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I can’t wait to get high high
  • Sad (02/07/2020, 16:42) Like (25) Dislike (10) Reply
    The bvi soon about to be the criminal capital it already built off of drugs
  • NOOO (02/07/2020, 16:43) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Next they going legalize big bikes just wait for it
  • hmm (02/07/2020, 16:44) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Yes release them free up space in the prison for myron and his old ndp gang.
  • East Cartel (02/07/2020, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Once them legalize cockfighting smurf will stop he ranting about this marijuana act. That will stop the pig squabble over nothing.
  • We in Trouble.. (02/07/2020, 17:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thats fair...makes sense. Once they Can prove they have a medical condition and it helps...Then again the quantity they were in possession of also plays a factor....How would they prove that....They will have to get a Doctor's report... Lets see how that works
  • good idea (02/07/2020, 17:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    What could go wrong?
  • no vote (02/07/2020, 17:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    what is unfair is the banned jet skis that are operating in the bvi legally
    • @ no vote (02/07/2020, 19:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Them ones from cane harden bay who does rent them $60 half an hour ripping off people
  • Bluetooth (02/07/2020, 18:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Minister it should be both recreational and medicinal. What u leave for the common Rastafarian who trod for this all time. Not just big money owners on ganja.
  • Shaynia (02/07/2020, 18:31) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am wracked with Degenerative Joint Disease Pain. I can't stand smoke and I don't have to smoke it, just put a little wad under my tongue or cheek. Within minutes my pain resides, I can walk up straight, my head clears and from migraine pain and mostly I don't have to use my cane daily. This law will free up my soul from being imprisoned if caught with a very small amount. I would have no problem getting a doctors note for medicinal use. About time and the future looks brighter moving forward. Hurry up Government!
  • uh (03/07/2020, 05:21) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    I pray to God u all don't live to regret people killings for for this in time pass hope you remember this comment
  • Sheeps (03/07/2020, 07:23) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Until we have laws to arm us we just sheeps waiting for the slaughter, wake up folks
  • GG (03/07/2020, 09:12) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Unbelievable, the BVI is heading down a slipperly slope. Criminality is the order of the day.
  • island man (03/07/2020, 12:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    People had to pay a hefty fines and lawyers a ton of money to represent them for 20 grams. Hope they can be refunded too.
  • NezRez (03/07/2020, 13:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ island man. There is no refund for illegal use and being locked up. It is still illegal until they pass the bill. Get it?
    • Hmm (03/07/2020, 14:15) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Lemon grass should be illegal too because its a plant and people are using it to feel better. :D
  • Jacko (03/07/2020, 18:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Best news ever lol
  • JahLove (03/07/2020, 20:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The law needs to be passed for this consideration. I will definitely ask my doctor for a prescription to help with my glaucoma.
  • rewrsdffds (05/07/2020, 21:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government is about money that comes from the marijuana alone, how can these same people of government who proclaiming to be Christians not fight for this long time, didnt God made the marijuana plant? Sure God did, so how. An u allow ppl to be imprisoned because of White Supremacy, that means you not supporting God. Now prisoners go be free because you see a way to make money for your government, bigger judgement, cause God watching these false prophets
  • To Government (09/07/2020, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aint hating on no one or trying to keep a next man down, because i blaze my herbs aswel, but some of these guys have other criminal traits also, like one female commenter said "dont release her boyfriend before he start come home and beat her" and i dont think anyone would condone these kind of acts, we all have mothers, sisters, aunties, so only God knows what other unlawful activies their into, just something to take into great concideration when your making your decisions Government. This can go bad very quickly in so many wayz, Why dont you plant food, or rare cattle or even fix the sewage thats been running in the streets for years/decades @GOVERNMENT


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