Smoking weed outside a rum shop
A nice hot breezy afternoon. 2pm. Market. I stop at a cart to buy some onions, potatoes, garlic. Once banned in Guyana. Two young guys running the cart. I smell ganja smoke.
I ask them.. 'Man wheh de smoke coming from'. One laughed and pointed to the other.. 'we got one. Yuh wan' two pull'?
This is blog post number 300. I have been thinking about something that would be significant and ground breaking and inspiring. But then 300 is just a number.
The Critical Thinking Circle was formed in January 2013. I did the first presentation which was along the lines of 'Decriminalisation of Marijuana is good for Guyana" This is the gist of my presentation.
Note: I do not smoke nor have I ever used ganja in any form. I do not advocate its usage. I am also against the consumption of alcohol. I have advocated that it is better to use ganja than alcohol since anecdotal evidence and medical and social research seem to indicate that alcohol has caused greater harm than ganja has ever done. However, many people mix their substances and it is not as easy as saying one rather than the other. I advocate abstinence from narcotics like ganja and alcohol, I do not advocate prohibition.
What do the laws say?
Guyana's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 1998 provides the legal framework for marijuana control. The Act says and implies (to me) among other things that :-
a) In any prosecution for an offence under the section dealing with trafficking, where any person, is found in possession of more than—
(a) two grams of diacetylmorphine (heroin);
(b) one gram of cocaine;
(c) fifty—five grams of opium;
(d) three grams of morphine; or
(e) fifteen grams of cannabis or cannabis resin,
the burden of proving that he is in possession of the narcotic for a purpose other than the purpose of trafficking shall be on him.
b). Any person, who smokes, inhales, sniffs or otherwise uses opium, cannabis, heroin or cocaine; or is in a house in which this is done , without good reason, could be charged
There is another part which talks about having five grams (or less) of cannabis in personal possession and the court taking that into consideration when fining for possession.
So in summary, it seems that you might have light fines for having amounts for personal consumption. If you are smoking, you can be charged. If you are growing plants, you can be fined. And if you are selling, the penalties are stronger. The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers has a booklet on Drugs and the Law which explains more.
"is high grade we smoking from jamyard. Guyana weed too weak, dey pick it too young. De high grade Guyana weed export to the US"
Decriminalisation vs Legalisation
Fine, community service for marijuana possession
Marijuana possession defendant granted $50,000 bail
Fine, community service for asthmatic marijuana user
Mother of two jailed, fined for marijuana
‘Witch’ for marijuana possession sentence January 22
Fine, community service for marijuana possession
The persons who tend to be convicted and charged seem to be people who are poor, mostly young. Some of them might not have any other convictions or offences. Mr White said cannabis helps his asthma. Another elderly woman in Berbice a few years ago said she used for glaucoma, but she was still charged.
There are now 'lighter' sentences of community service and fines, however, the conviction record will remain. We do not know how many persons in the overcrowded jails are on remand for marijuana possession.
Bill Clinton, Barak Obama, my friends who are 'middle and upper class' who have all admitted to using marijuana, have never been charged or convicted.
"nah because we outside a rum shop, mean we does drink rum. We dont' drink rum. Rum destroys. We does tek wan wan stout and guiness "
Why is ganja illegal, and not alcohol or tobacco?
Depending on who you talk to, it seems that marijuana was made illegal because of a various reasons.. none of which are health related. It seems that racism (against Mexican and black users in the USA); capitalism (paper processing changed, tobacco and alcohol sales would be affected, medical industry did not like the idea of a freely available herb which could provide cures for many ailments.) This ensive rant provides some of the history. The linkage to the Mormon usage has been corrected in other parts of the cyberspace.
The research goes on , and the health benefits are often claimed and disputed, like the link between marijuana and cancer. Comparative studies are done, but claims are made that research is suppressed.
There is new research about Marijuana (like chemicals?) and HIV/AIDS
One of the difficulties it seems about doing the research is that persons probably do not exclusively use marijuana or any other substance, so all findings can be disputed etc. This World Health Organisation study has some interesting conclusions which imply that marijuana is no better or worse than alcohol or tobacco.
Where is marijuana Decrminalised?
The legal status of marijuana varies in Europe and parts of North America. The wikipedia article describes the various situations. There is allowed usage for 'medical marijuana' in some places, while in Amsterdam there are places where marijuana can be sold legally.
In Jamaica,the National Commission on Ganja in 2001, made the following recommendations :-
I ask them.. 'Man wheh de smoke coming from'. One laughed and pointed to the other.. 'we got one. Yuh wan' two pull'?
This is blog post number 300. I have been thinking about something that would be significant and ground breaking and inspiring. But then 300 is just a number.
The Critical Thinking Circle was formed in January 2013. I did the first presentation which was along the lines of 'Decriminalisation of Marijuana is good for Guyana" This is the gist of my presentation.
Note: I do not smoke nor have I ever used ganja in any form. I do not advocate its usage. I am also against the consumption of alcohol. I have advocated that it is better to use ganja than alcohol since anecdotal evidence and medical and social research seem to indicate that alcohol has caused greater harm than ganja has ever done. However, many people mix their substances and it is not as easy as saying one rather than the other. I advocate abstinence from narcotics like ganja and alcohol, I do not advocate prohibition.
What do the laws say?
Guyana's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 1998 provides the legal framework for marijuana control. The Act says and implies (to me) among other things that :-
a) In any prosecution for an offence under the section dealing with trafficking, where any person, is found in possession of more than—
(a) two grams of diacetylmorphine (heroin);
(b) one gram of cocaine;
(c) fifty—five grams of opium;
(d) three grams of morphine; or
(e) fifteen grams of cannabis or cannabis resin,
the burden of proving that he is in possession of the narcotic for a purpose other than the purpose of trafficking shall be on him.
b). Any person, who smokes, inhales, sniffs or otherwise uses opium, cannabis, heroin or cocaine; or is in a house in which this is done , without good reason, could be charged
There is another part which talks about having five grams (or less) of cannabis in personal possession and the court taking that into consideration when fining for possession.
So in summary, it seems that you might have light fines for having amounts for personal consumption. If you are smoking, you can be charged. If you are growing plants, you can be fined. And if you are selling, the penalties are stronger. The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers has a booklet on Drugs and the Law which explains more.
"is high grade we smoking from jamyard. Guyana weed too weak, dey pick it too young. De high grade Guyana weed export to the US"
Decriminalisation vs Legalisation
The words decriminalisation and legalisation might seem to mean the same thing to people who do not use legal definitions.
For the purposes of this blog post, Decriminalisation refers to "removing the threat of arrest for the
personal possession or cultivation of marijuana, but maintaining
prohibitions on commercial cultivation and retail sale". Decriminalisation removes the burden on the criminal justice system and provides opportunity for interventions.
Legalisation provides means for regulation of cultivation, sale, commercialisation, advertising etc. Legalisation allows taxation. Legalization (according to some
advocates equals patents, branding, commercialisation , staining,
advertising, etc.. so as to increase usage). Alcohol is supposedly legalised in Guyana, with regulations. Cynics will note that alcohol is not regulated in Guyana despite the laws. Legalisation thrives on addiction.
There are probably other more specific definitions.
Why bother with this discussion?
Christmas Day marijuana possession defendant remanded Fine, community service for marijuana possession
Marijuana possession defendant granted $50,000 bail
Fine, community service for asthmatic marijuana user
Mother of two jailed, fined for marijuana
‘Witch’ for marijuana possession sentence January 22
Fine, community service for marijuana possession
The persons who tend to be convicted and charged seem to be people who are poor, mostly young. Some of them might not have any other convictions or offences. Mr White said cannabis helps his asthma. Another elderly woman in Berbice a few years ago said she used for glaucoma, but she was still charged.
There are now 'lighter' sentences of community service and fines, however, the conviction record will remain. We do not know how many persons in the overcrowded jails are on remand for marijuana possession.
Bill Clinton, Barak Obama, my friends who are 'middle and upper class' who have all admitted to using marijuana, have never been charged or convicted.
"nah because we outside a rum shop, mean we does drink rum. We dont' drink rum. Rum destroys. We does tek wan wan stout and guiness "
Why is ganja illegal, and not alcohol or tobacco?
Depending on who you talk to, it seems that marijuana was made illegal because of a various reasons.. none of which are health related. It seems that racism (against Mexican and black users in the USA); capitalism (paper processing changed, tobacco and alcohol sales would be affected, medical industry did not like the idea of a freely available herb which could provide cures for many ailments.) This ensive rant provides some of the history. The linkage to the Mormon usage has been corrected in other parts of the cyberspace.
The research goes on , and the health benefits are often claimed and disputed, like the link between marijuana and cancer. Comparative studies are done, but claims are made that research is suppressed.
There is new research about Marijuana (like chemicals?) and HIV/AIDS
One of the difficulties it seems about doing the research is that persons probably do not exclusively use marijuana or any other substance, so all findings can be disputed etc. This World Health Organisation study has some interesting conclusions which imply that marijuana is no better or worse than alcohol or tobacco.
Where is marijuana Decrminalised?
The legal status of marijuana varies in Europe and parts of North America. The wikipedia article describes the various situations. There is allowed usage for 'medical marijuana' in some places, while in Amsterdam there are places where marijuana can be sold legally.
In Jamaica,the National Commission on Ganja in 2001, made the following recommendations :-
- that the relevant laws be amended so that ganja be decriminalised for the private, personal use of small quantities by adults;
- that decriminalisation for personal use should exclude smoking by juveniles or by anyone in premises accessible to the public;that ganja should be decriminalised for use as a sacrament for religious purposes;
- that a sustained all-media, all-schools education programme aimed at demand reduction accompany the process of decriminalisation, and that its target should be, in the main, young people;
- that the security forces intensify their interdiction of large cultivation of ganja and trafficking of all illegal drugs, in particular crack/cocaine;
- that, in order that Jamaica be not left behind, a Cannabis Research Agency be set up, in collaboration with other countries, to coordinate research into all aspects of cannabis, including its epidemiological and psychological effects, and importantly as well its pharmacological and economic potential, such as is being done by many other countries, not least including some of the most vigorous in its suppression; and
- that as a matter of great urgency Jamaica embark on diplomatic initiatives with its CARICOM partners and other countries outside the Region, in particular members of the European Union, with a view (a) to elicit support for its internal position, and (b) to influence the international community to re-examine the status of cannabis.
"nah.. we doan tek dat white stuff. If we smoke dat white stuff, den we would nevah be able to sell hey. Weed, if yuh lazy, gun mek yuh mo lazy. If yuh wan fuh wuk, it gun open yuh brains, and mek yuh wuk, it mek it easy fuh do calculations"
[conversation in a Cayman Islands prison with a prisoner - "Nah, I only sell ganja, not cocaine. Cocaine f..ks up people's head. I don't do that)
Marijuana is now being 'stained' with other substances - to make it addictive. Black joints - marijuana rolled with crack - are being used. Any discussion about marijuana usage should take into consideration the mixing with other more dangerous substances. Grow your own marijuana and roll your own joint would probably be the safest thing to do if people are determined to use it.
Some persons have said that marijuana is a gateway drug to other more dangerous substances. Alcohol is probably a gateway drug as well. Some reformed addicts have spoken out against decriminalisation and legalisation in the USA . Like in Guyana, they claim that those who want to access the drugs, know how to do so and are not likely to be caught.
Is Decriminalisation good for Guyana?
What is Good for Guyana?
This is the
interesting part. What is good for Guyana? Who decides?
We are supposed to regulate
alcohol use and we have massive problems which we deny. We have no health facilities to
deal with addictions etc.
So, should Ryan
White and any of the mostly poor, mostly young persons, pay for the absence of any of the facilities or systems which educate about smoking weed?
We should be able to talk about marijuana usage patterns and understand what is happening and how it is being used.
Decriminalisation would be good for those Guyanese who are using it for recreational or medicinial purposes and who are criminalised for its usage. How many are in prison for cannabis possession? Should they be there?
It would not be
good for those who are mixing it with other substances and who have
no facilities to deal with the health and social consequences of its
usage.
Marijuana might not be
good for Guyana, but decriminalisation along the recommendations of the National Commission on Ganja in Jamaica might not be worse for Guyana.
Note: I advocate abstinence from ganja and alcohol. I do
not advocate prohibition. I do not advocate legalization. I do not believe that people should face convictions and have records for possession of marijuana for personal use or consumption. I believe that Guyana should also be thinking about adopting the findings of medicinal use of marijuana.
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