The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) wrap up their summit in Antigua. During the summit, it was announced that A Marijuana Commission was formed. Their job would be to figure out how to decriminalize marijuana for medical conditions. This news from the Caribbean Ganja / Marijuana Commission is “Better late than Never”. As the Caribbean has been waiting for this news. However, other countries and states in the USA, have benefitted more economically than the Caribbean countries.
According to a statement given after the conference, the purpose of the Ganja Commission is to “conduct a rigorous enquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the region and to advise whether there should be a change in the current drug classification of marijuana, thereby making the drug more accessible for a range of users.”
New York becomes the 23rd state in the USA to legalize marijuana for medical use. Two states (Colorado and Washington State) have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The momentums are building for the economic gains. Caribbean Ganja / Marijuana Commission “Better late than never” news. Ethan Nadelmann US Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) welcomed the news. He said, “It’s great that governments in the Caribbean are finally pushing forward with this dialogue.” Mr. Nadlemann said the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) has the momentum. He went on to say, the Caribbean mustn’t get on the sidelines.”
Vincentian-born US Director of Communications at the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), Don Rojas said. “We at the IBW also pledge our support to this CARICOM initiative”. It is recognizing that it is a logical and enlightened move toward decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. It is an important step towards researching the economic potential of a regulated medical marijuana industry in the Caribbean,”
Mr. Rojas went on to say, “We are committed to enhancing the capacity of Black communities in the US and globally to achieve cultural, social, economic and political equality, and an enhanced quality of life for all marginalized people,” Now The Caribbean Commission will “conduct a rigorous enquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the region and to advise whether there should be a change in the current drug classification of marijuana, thereby making the drug more accessible for a range of users,”
Global Commission on Drug Policy.
In 2011, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, joined former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, of Brazil. The group includes César Gaviria, of Colombia, and Ernesto Zedillo, of Mexico. Along with other members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy. They said it was time to “break the taboo on exploring alternatives to the failed war on drugs. They encourage experimentation by governments with models of legal regulation of drugs, especially marijuana”.
The Caribbean Marijuana Commission agrees that even though the policy is late, it’s “Better Late than Never”. it’s important to find a balance solution to address this growing Ganja medical and social acceptance and figure out safe economical opportunities. Recritional users must still be aware that businesses will still have there drugs testing policy in place that is inforce.