Rev Ranford Patterson
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE estimated multi-billion dollar medical marijuana industry should not be up for discussion in The Bahamas, according to Rev Dr Randford Patterson. The president of the Bahamas Christian Council took a strong stance against national dialogue over the possible legalisation of the controversial plant in an interview with The Tribune.
Although the drug is regulated for medicinal use in more than 20 US states, Rev Patterson dismissed the plant’s medical use last week.
He said: “I believe that we don’t support anything that is going to have a negative impact on the family, on our people individually and collectively. Based on the studies I’ve seen, marijuana affects a person’s ability to reason.
“Now they are going to say it’s for medical purposes, but how many people are going to use it for medical purposes? Is everybody now all of a sudden going to need a medication, going to use marijuana as a source of medication for whatever it is that they are supposed to be having?
“I don’t believe that it is something that we should even be thinking about. Marijuana affects people’s ability to reason, why would one legalise that?”
In response to reports that medicinal marijuana has been used as an alternative treatment for a range of illnesses, such as cancer and cataracts, and with limited cognitive effect, Rev Patterson replied: “So they went in the lab and dealt with it.”
More than 40 countries are now considering changes to legislation against the plant for medicinal or recreational use.
Notable efforts include Uruguay’s sweeping legalisation in December, and booming medicinal and recreational industries.
On a local talk show earlier this year, US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission John Armstrong advised that his country’s global policy against the drug remained unchanged despite laws in Colorado and Washington, which regulate the growth, sale and taxation of the plant.
On the regional front, CARICOM has commissioned studies on the medicinal marijuana industry to guide consensus on the issue. Earlier this year, Jamaican officials announced the country’s intent to decriminalise marijuana by the end of the year in a bid not to be “left behind” in the global shift on the issue.
The medicinal marijuana industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
Last week, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is an issue with which the Bahamas government will soon be confronted.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 6 months ago
Man. Screw the Christian council. Who cares what those morons have to say?
newcitizen 10 years, 6 months ago
We shouldn't give them the time of day. They don't have any interest in the well-being of the Bahamian people. They just want to keep the collection tray full.
URD 10 years, 6 months ago
I agree with him 1000%
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 6 months ago
Say based on the studies he's seen. What a moron...
bcitizen 10 years, 6 months ago
I don't use marijuana and don't really care too but it does have some medical benefits. Drugs like marinol are THC based medications controlled by prescriptions just like other drugs. Can he please explain the difference between medical marijuana (THC) based medical treatments and drugs versus the opioid based ones which are far more addictive and dangerous drugs that are used for pain among other things. Morphine, oxycodone, vicodin, codein etc which are all commonly abused by the way? If a substance can be used/dosed and controlled correctly with regulations for medical treatments it should be made available.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 6 months ago
Alcohol & legal prescription drugs, lack of sleep, sickness all affect peoples ability to reason so his logic about marijuana being a detriment to us is nonsense. People are smoking weed regardless of its legality, lets get over that & if u look in the medicine cabinet of many its full prescription drugs they use legally to get them through their day. Threat it like alcohol legalize it, regulate it & lets move on.. On to more serious matters, Rev. Patterson what are u & others Minister going to do about a known child molester Randy Frasier starting a church? Are u going to organize protest & protect innocent children from abuse? What's the plan?
TheMadHatter 10 years, 6 months ago
They don't care about child molesters - or near starving children in this country living off Ramen Noodles every day. Those things are like the equivalent of 5 bags of potato chips (check the sodium content on each and divide).
All they care about is making sure that women have no access to birth control or any education about family planning - so they can keep popping 'em out and filling the pews with ignorant starving people who RELY on him and his minions to make them "feel good" about themselves. Tell them they are LOVED by God and all that.
Marijuana is a competitor to him directly - because it settles people and makes them feel at ease. He can't have that, cause then they won't come running to him with every little problem, and puttin sometin in the da plate.
TheMadHatter
kairosmatt 10 years, 6 months ago
Marijuana is far less detrimental to the Bahamas and family life than, say, alcohol or the Christian Council.
Thinker 10 years, 6 months ago
Ha...good one.
CommonSense 10 years, 6 months ago
This man is an idiot.
JohnDoes 10 years, 6 months ago
This man wants to be heard and seen. Funny how every one who is against marijuana, never tried it or fully learned about it. Studies are continually disproving the fallacy that marijuana is bad for you. Anyone with a brain and common sense would research the drug before they come out and make press releases. When you ask persons why they are against it, they could never give a solid factual reason, instead they just knock the issue with some stereotypical view. Everyone knows that the problem with marijuana is and always has been 'political' nothing to do with health. Of course too much of anything is not good for anyone. Everything in moderation.
PastorTroy 10 years, 6 months ago
I’ve seen, RELIGION affects a person’s ability to reason. He said: “I believe that we don’t support anything that is going to have a negative impact on the family, on our people individually and collectively. Rev. Doc Sir, who are you? Seriously who are you when it relates to the Government or rather the citizens on The Bahamas? Respectfully sir, you, or your organization has and will never be elected BY THE PEOPLE as their spiritual leader! Who give you or your organization the audacity, to make such claim on behalf of the Citizens of The Commonwealth Of The Bahamas??
I would like to personally thank both "Rev. Doc. P" and US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission John Armstrong for their comments. One has completely ignore science as it relates to Cannabis, but just recently had a close relative in the hospital SEEKING TREATMENT FROM SCIENCE! CANCER!!! And the other makes a complete hypocritical statement, after cornering the Cannabis market, well at least in this hemisphere, but it's his job to make such statements after all Cannabis is still illegal in the U.S on the federal level.
All in all both has no solutions to the problem, but more of the same (PROHIBITION) and completely ignore science for selfish reasons. With draconian, ignorant, hypocritical and selfish answers like these is the reason why the United States has 5% of the worlds population and counts for 25% of its prisoners. "The war on drugs" has crippled the black community WORLDWIDE!! Dear Sirs, I have news for BOTH of you, neither of you speak for, or your opinions in reference to the legalization of Cannabis is the voice of the MAJORITY of Bahamians. We (The Bahamian People) did not elect any of you to speak for us, one of you is a visitor, the other runs a racket that profits of poor people.
SP 10 years, 6 months ago
The so called Christian Council are nothing more than an organized crime group fleecing the ignorant and misleading the brain dead.
How people in this century can be stupid enough to continue giving what little hard earned money they have to these idiots week in and week out is beyond comprehension.
This Patterson clown is especially reprehensible!
goodread 10 years, 6 months ago
i quote Patterson's words from the report on him being against the porn industry in The Bahamas..."So when things happen in these independent churches the first question that is asked is what is the Christian Council doing, but we have no control over what they do. People have a right to association, a right to worship, a right to do as they please.”
You admittingly take no stand against people doing whatever they want in the 'Lord's House' so who are you to question, object, criticise what I do in mine.
BahamianAway 10 years, 6 months ago
Another flash and glitter moment to blind Bahamian to real issue that plague the Bahamas brought to you courtesy of the Christian Council and it's lead donkey.
I guess anger needs to be regulated because I can almost guarantee that's why the murder count is so high. Hot tempered fools with a need to prove they are bigger and badder than the next person. It isn't the people smoking marijuana...
And what about alcohol...people lose the ability to reason when drunk. This man needs to take several seats and muzzle himself.
I don't smoke but I feel it's like alcohol, if that's your preference then go ahead. As long as measures are taken to prevent underage use and in some ways abuse then legalize it for whatever use- recreational or medicinal.
BahamianKing 10 years, 6 months ago
“Medical Marijuana”…is just that! Medical Marijuana! It’s for medical purposes, only, and not for recreational use. It’s not for baking in brownies. It’s not for baking in cookies. If regulated with a little common sense – as most nations, where it is legal, were able to do – this shouldn’t be an issue.
PastorTroy 10 years, 6 months ago
Of all the 'things' going on in our Bahamaland, including a CONVICTED SEXUAL OFFENDER opening a new church after running his previous church into the ground financially! The Bahamas christian council is an sham! A Racket! They continue to perpetuate ignorance in our Bahamaland, the stench and the hypocrisy and self interest of this organization STINKS!!. IMHO Rev. Doc Patty is starting to sound like the Sarah Palin of The Bahamas, Always trying to hog all the attention, trying desperately to remain relevant. Respectfully sir, you have a degree in theology, not Science. It's amazing that this 'man' is considered a 'man of faith' Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. When Governments allow scientist to LEGALLY do research on the cannabis plant; this can be the solution to addictive and the harmful side effect of disastrous prescription drugs like Oxycodone, morphine, Vicodin, codeine and the others. Even if Rev. Doc Paddy does not care about the health properties of cannabis, what about the societal effects of prohibition? The organize gangs and other criminals that reek havoc on society, killing each other because of turf wars etc. And even if Rev. Doc Paddy does not care too much about the criminal aspect of prohibition. What about the financial? And lets not kid ourselves, tourism as it is, OBVIOUSLY is NOT keeping us afloat! Legalizing Cannabis in The Bahamas, Bahamasair will make what they're currently making annually, from the sudden increased sales of weekend round trip tickets alone! Cruise ships, Taxi drivers, hotels, cafe', the 'munchies' equals more food sales! Question: What does the Bahamas christian council do for the Bahamian citizens INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY and our country FINANCIALLY?? THE BORROWER IS SLAVE TO THE LENDER! Keeping your heads deep in the sand, Having a Slave master mentality and praying about it will not make it better! WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS! There are many 'religious leaders' who have came out in support of the legalization of cannabis, simply because the alternative has created greater social problems and decimated minority communities. There are no concrete biblical reason(s) for the prohibition of cannabis. Thank goodness we now live in an information age where we do not have to live our lives base on what hypocrites like this tells us. I encourage my fellow Bahamians to learn EVERYTHING about this billion dollar industry in every way! From cultivation to harvest to tea shops. IMHO, Cannabis + Tourism = GOLDMINE!
BahamianAway 10 years, 6 months ago
This is exactly why I don't follow persons like Patterson, Munroe, Ellis and such...using God to gain worldly riches and fame. As Ronnie Butler said in his song "Christ rode a donkey not a Bently" furthermore when he wasn't on a donkey he was walking. Fact is...I am tired of these purported men of the cloth and Christian faith who never have any biblical fact to back what is obviously their opinion.
If Mr. Patterson has an issue with marijuana based on Bible references then I am all about hearing what he has to say, but if you want to base it on the fact that it takes away a person's ability to reason then to me you are irrelevant as a person who is supposed to have theological training. Seems to me he is speaking based on his own personal views....
Mr. Patterson (notice I am not saying Rev.) I suggest you rally up several Bible passsages before you start commenting on the things that you think the Christian Council needs to disagree with. And while you are at is look for a few as it related to your fellow business partner Mr. Fraser.
asiseeit 10 years, 6 months ago
This nation would be far better off without the Christian Council. It is just another gang that has fleeced the downtrodden and ignorant.
KRS1 10 years, 6 months ago
Its hard to understand how alcohol is legal and sensimelia is still being persecuted. Last time I checked alcohol has 0 or little health benefits. Ganja on the other hand has many health benefits. All medical drugs if abused can have negative effects on people do we ban all medical drugs. Just legalize and regulate and call it a day.
John 10 years, 6 months ago
I think that this issue can be discussed more intelligently and effectively, without name calling and without attacks on individuals or organizations. While there are undisputed health benefits in the marijuana plant, we must realize that we live in a society where substance abuse is not only commonplace, but also on the rise. Many helpful medications, like Buckleys cough syrup that have been around for decades, had to be taken off the market (at least in the Bahamas) because they were being abused. One pharmacy said they had to remove other cough syrups off the shelves and hide them, only to sell to select customers, because certain groups of people, including school children, would come in several times during the day to buy or to steal these items, obviously to abuse them and not use them for purposes for which they were intended. So yes, there should be serious concerns and discussion about the use of marijuana for medical purposes and how it will be effectively controlled if it is legalized in that environment. The Bahamas is part of a global village, and a tourist destination. Even the decision not to legalise the marijuana drug for medicine will have a significant impact in this country.
BahamianAway 10 years, 6 months ago
Your point is well taken however as you said substance abuse is commonplace. So should the idea of legalizing marijuana just be completely vetoed because of such abuse. I don't see Kalik or Bacardi being pulled off the shelves and hidden because people are coming in to buy it. How is it you can buy cases of alcohol for a party but if you buy two or more bottles of Robitussin it's a problem (and I am playing devil's advocate here).
They tried making alcohol illegal a while back and see how that panned out...as with marijuana the only persons benefited from the sales were those who were part of bootlegging. It wasn't until it was regulated and taxed properly that the government made any money on it. Now as it stands today tobacco and alcohol are HUGE revenue makers for many countries.
The Bahamas needs to look at other revenue options aside from taxation of poor people. Or do we need to look at a Revolutionary War...
John 10 years, 6 months ago
I do not think I said anywhere in my post that marijuana, for medical purposes, should not be legalized. I simply pointed out that there is widespread abuse of substances, legal and illegal, in the Bahamas and any decision should take this in to consideration Let the decision not be a matter of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
banker 10 years, 6 months ago
If you treat Bahamian like children they will act like children. Bahamians should have the choices that other democracies have and not give voices to thugs in the Christian Council who take poor people's money, tell them how to live their lives and they do the opposite. Christian Council is nothing but a bunch hypocritical psalm-singing donkeys who can't keep their reproductive organs to themselves. If anything should be banned in the Bahamas, it should be the Christian Council.
John 10 years, 6 months ago
A prominent doctor, who had a 40 year career at Sandilands Rehab. Center, indicated that 1 in every 7 persons suffer from some type of mental disorder. That is not just in the Bahamas, but worldwide. And while many of the cases are mild where the persons can either live a normal life or 'cure' themselves by changing habits or lifestyle, quite a number of cases are psychotic and require medical intervention. He believes that many of the cases (in the Bahamas) stem from the epidemic of cocaine abuse in the 1980's and early 90's and since a proper study was never done, the true effects will never be known. What we do know is that since the 1980's we have had more than 2,200 murders in this country and many of them stem from the inability to resolve conflict. We also know that most of the persons committing murder were born in the 80's and 90's and we also know that marijuana is the drug of choice among those two generations. Marijuana effects the ability to reason and the strains of marijuana available today can be up to TEN times more potent than what was smoked in the 70's. We can therefore conclude that the abuse of marijuana does have some impact, if not a significant one, on crime, more specifically murder, as it occurs in the Bahamas today. The focus here is ABUSE of marijuana.
BahamianAway 10 years, 6 months ago
I don't have statistics to back my theory but I do not believe that marijuana is the cause of why crime is high. Crime (mostly murder) being as high as it is as varied causes...and while marijuana might be responsible for a few you can't rightly say it is a significant cause, at least not in the way you are attempting to portray.
I will go out on a limb here and say that about 80% of murders committed in recent years are drug related. It would stand to reason that legalizing marijuana will in some way limit the drug trade and in effect limit the drug wars between gangs. Don't get me wrong now I am sure marijuana isn't the only drug being distributed illegally but it would be one less drug that the crime lords can benefit off.
The way I look at it is people are going to do what they want, they've found ways around the system even in times of Jesus. If this is something that could potentially benefit the society as a whole then I don't see why it cannot be legalized.
It is still your right to refuse to use and refuse to be around people that do, you make the decision now. So whether it's legal or not doesn't change what YOU feel YOU must do. Me personally I don't smoke, even if it was made legal I still wouldn't- that's my personal choice. I know people that do and will continue to whether it remains illegal or not, I know people who said they would smoke if it were legal. Either way people make their own choices...
Emac 10 years, 6 months ago
@John-Schizo much???
John 10 years, 6 months ago
@ Emac are you high? please explain your post.
John 10 years, 6 months ago
From a Biblical point: 1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
James 3:15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
. Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come
Luke 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.
2 Peter 3:3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
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