'Release persons imprisoned for cannabis possession'- Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles
Among those lending their support to the bill is Junior Minister for Tourism and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), who lent her voice on behalf of persons imprisoned and those with criminal records for possession of cannabis.
Speaking during the 11th Sitting of the 2nd Session of the 4th House of Assembly today, June 26, 2020, Hon Flax-Charles said: "I also think that we need to release all persons in prison that are currently incarcerated for cannabis possession. Expungement of criminal records should be a reality once certain criteria is met.”
Some persons in the community have been campaigning for the decriminalising of marijuana; however, the Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020, only seeks to legalise cannabis for medicinal use.
The Act
The Act seeks to provide for the establishment of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, for the purpose of regulating and controlling the licensing of the analysis, cultivation, processing, importation, exportation, distribution and sale of cannabis in the Virgin Islands.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act; however, a person who is not a minor, may possess up to one (1) gramme of medicinal cannabis for medicinal or therapeutic use.
Further, the use of cannabis by a person for medicinal or therapeutic "use shall only be at and in relation to a private dwelling or such place as may be designated by or permitted by the Authority," according to the bill.
Recreational use led to discovery of medicinal values- Hon Flax-Charles
According to Hon Flax-Charles, the use of the herb recreationally is what has led to the discovery of its medicinal values.
“I would like to say and we must admit though, that I do believe that the medical use of cannabis would not have been possible if there was no recreational use."
"I say this to say that persons were able to determine that they got relief from certain ailments. This has been tried and tested for many years. This is why we are putting a system in place to legally license persons so that they can participate in the medical cannabis industry.”
.png)
Follow Us On
30 Responses to “'Release persons imprisoned for cannabis possession'- Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles”
Who is responsible for the Police? The Governor.
Is the Governor and the Commissioner doing their job?
on their operations and reducing staff by three quarters due to COVID 19. That country was therefore forced to do the same locally. It shows that this Industry could also take an economic down turn in times of crisis. Use the land at Paraquita Bay to grow food.
However great minds think alike. Let's hope it's for the better and not make this great little nation bitter
Moreover, the marijuana decriminalizing tide has been rising in several locales, eg, US, Canada, some regional countries.....etc. Regionally, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Jamaica have decriminalized possession of small quantities of recreational marijuana and are allowed to cultivate a maximum number of plants for persons use. Several other regional countries are taking serious looks at decriminalizing possession of small quantities of pot. Locally, tens if not hundreds of residents’ lives have been blighted with being convicted and incarcerated for being in possession of small quantities of pot. To give these individuals a new start, a second chance, serious consideration should be given to expunging their record and releasing them from prison. Further, CARICOM needs to commission a study, a working group on decriminalizing marijuana possession and use.
Keeping it fair and balance, there are moral, public health, criminal and societal issues with pot use, trading......etc. Consequently, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, along with MEC, Environmental Dept, RVIPF and judicial system, should launch an aggressive public education and outreach programme on pot use and its impact on individuals, families and the community.
Under the VI constitution, the Guv has the following power:
1) The Governor may, in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty’s behalf-
(a) grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offence against any law in force in the Virgin Islands a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions;
(b) grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, from the execution of any sentence passed on that person for such an offence;
(c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for that imposed by any sentence for such an offence; or
(d) remit the whole or any part of any sentence passed for such an offence or any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Her Majesty on account of such an offence.
(2) In the exercise of his powers under this section the Governor shall consult with the Committee established under section II of this Order, but he shall decide whether to exercise any of those powers in any case in his own deliberate judgement, whether the members of the Committee concur in his decision or otherwise.
It is supposed to be power sharing between the crown and local. However, the power structure is unbalanced. The seesaw tilts towards the crown. Let’s fix in the constitutional review. The folks on the last review caved and folded like wet noodles.