On June 15, 2016, I wrote a piece in which I argued against the legalisation of marijuana (cannabis or ganja). I opposed legalisation because Guyana is not ready to embark on such a path. I wish to revisit this topic in light of calls by social activists who support a more expansive policy to legalise the popular herb. President David Granger himself recognises that the Government cannot pass laws restricting smoking in public places, while at the same time decriminalising the use of marijuana, while allowing the United Stated Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to assist in anti-narcotics trafficking.
In response to that piece, I received an email from The Guyana Hemp Association, Neurvana International and Green Acre. They are currently lobbying the Granger led-Administration for permission to commercialise industrial hemp. Their members cautioned me on an obvious confusion between medical marijuana and industrial hemp. I acknowledge that misunderstanding. But I am not convinced that Guyana is ready for either the legalisation of marijuana or the production of industrial hemp, although a strong argument can be made for industrial hemp production. The two plants share the same origin. Marijuana plants contain greater levels of tetrahydrocannabino (THC) – the “high” content – but hemp contains very little of this psychoactive chemical. This single difference is what mostly distinguishes industrial hemp from marijuana.
Anyone familiar with the Vibert Butts case could easily be convinced to support the decriminalisation of marijuana. Vibert Butts, renowned for scoring Guyana’s first World Cup qualifier goal against Suriname in 1976, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to possession of 46 grams of cannabis (translates to one and a half ounces). Under Guyana’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, possession of over 15 grams of cannabis is illegal and anyone convicted of the offence (possession or trafficking) can be sentenced to three years in jail and a fine of ,000. Butts’ arrest and conviction set off a firestorm among Rastafarians – so much so that Ras Simeon, President of the Rastafari Council of Guyana, argued that disallowing use of the “holy herb” was a violation of his “religious” rights.
The use of medical marijuana is becoming common in countries around the world. In the US, medical marijuana is legal in about 25 states (possession or growing the plant), but there is opposition to legalisation of the narcotics because of its effects. The US National Academy of Science concluded that cannabis and its derivatives (hashish and hashish oil) have shown promise for the treatment of glaucoma, asthma, seizures, nervous system disorders and nausea and vomiting resulting from cancer chemotherapy. However, potential long-term effects of marijuana include euphoria, loss of memory, paranoid delusions, laughter, visual illusions, hallucinations, cancer, emphysema and bronchitis.
The Mayo Clinic shared a somewhat similar view. As stated in its August 25, 2006, article “Marijuana as Medicine: Consider the Pros and Cons,” published on its website, it stated “Marijuana contains at least 60 chemicals called cannabinoids. Researchers are evaluating how effective some of these cannabinoids might be in controlling symptoms of certain medical conditions”… and marijuana “may help treat signs and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting that are associated with a number of medical conditions” and… “marijuana smoke contains 50 per cent to 70 per cent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke and has the potential to cause cancer of the lungs and respiratory tract. Marijuana smoke is commonly inhaled deeper and held longer than tobacco smoke, increasing the lungs’ exposure to carcinogens.”
Governmental policy to legitimise large-scale production of marijuana will encourage narco-traffickers to shift attention to illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin. Guyana is already a trans-shipment point for illicit drugs destined for other countries, primarily the US. The US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report has argued that Guyana is a long way from controlling the illicit drug trade and domestic resources to address addiction are limited. Despite a more aggressive role by the Guyana Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, the Guyana Revenue Authority, strengthening the Financial Action Task Force and the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism laws, and the presence of the US DEA in Guyana, weak enforcement measures and endemic corruption within the Police Force make it difficult to engage in illicit narcotics control. Sophisticated and organisational networks and resources controlled by traffickers can wreak havoc on developing countries like Guyana.
The legalisation of marijuana must be carefully weighed against the forces of globalisation. It would not be unusual for the Government to decriminalise small amounts of marijuana, end mandatory prison term and legalise medicinal marijuana. And, of course, what people do in their private domain, should remain private.
