Bahamas 'to consider medicinal marijuana'

As of Wednesday, February 26, 2014

THE Bahamas government will consider the issue of medicinal marijuana as part of a regional body next month, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed yesterday.

Mr Mitchell said the government has noted developments in the United States and also “canvassed the potential policy changes” with US officials.

In a press statement this week, Jamaican officials announced the country’s intent to decriminalise marijuana by year-end in a bid to not be “left behind” in the global shift on the issue.

A medicinal marijuana industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.

In response to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Mitchell advised that Caricom heads of government will address the issue as an agenda item at next month’s meeting in St Vincent.

The regional body also agreed to commission studies on the industry at its last meeting in Guyana.

The Bahamas delegation in March will be led by Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mr Mitchell said.

“We have heard the views on a market approach to fighting anti-drug efforts advanced by many countries,” the minister continued.

“We note the developments in the United States and have canvassed the potential policy changes with United States officials.

He added: “We can say nothing more on the issue until such time as the Caricom consensus has been reached and the studies returned and the Bahamas Cabinet has a chance to review the issue.”

Yesterday, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson dismissed questions over whether the government would consider Jamaica’s bid to legalize marijuana.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said the plant was illegal in the Bahamas, adding that laws against its use will continue to be fully enforced.

Jamaica has established a Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT), and has agreed to formally launch a Future Ganja Growers Association next month to spearhead the establishment of a local industry, according to the Jamaica Observer.

Outside Cabinet yesterday, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “The use of marijuana is illegal in the Bahamas and the only comment that I have is that we are going to fully enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

She said: “We are going to fully enforce the laws of the Bahamas and what we are working on right now, as is the will of the people, is to see efficiency in the process so that justice can be delivered for the benefit of the accused and victims in a timely fashion.”

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 at the state level in the United Sates.

Last month on a local talk show, US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission John Armstrong advised that their 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.

TalRussell 10 years, 9 months ago

Would today's Jesus be an messenger for using some medical marijuana to ease your hurt'in body's aches and pains, or would Jesus be for throwing away your paycheck, playing the numbers rackets? This calls for an halleluiah for Minister Freddy cause to me looks as if some we Preacherman's have gotten out of the the Jesus healing business and gone full-time into the support the numbers rackets legalization business. Little bit pot can work some serious medicinal healing that the Preacherman's have all but given up on.

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

Yup, the only problem is stereotype and politics. They absolutely cannot stop a plant from naturally growing, why waste money trying stop something natural when you can adopt it and benefit from it both in the health arena and that industrial arena. Coke, Meth, Heroin, X, Molly's all are scientific experiments designed to destroy the mind and body. There is absolutely no additive but God's refreshing water and rejuvenating sunlight that creates the discriminated marijuana.

banker 10 years, 9 months ago

Agreed. Even Dr. Oz and Dr. Sanjay Gupta say that pot is VERY medicinal for a lot of things.

The_Oracle 10 years, 9 months ago

Governments the world over are realizing that a stoned population, is a docile population. Makes for better Sheeple.

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

Apparently its the opposite of what you said. One of the main reasons for its prohibition was that they believed that it gave persons anti government tendencies. Example the 'hippy' movement, made up of peace radicals, where marijuana was not the only drug they used, they also used LSD and other drugs.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Absolutely not Oracle. Normally I would agree with your opinion on the intent of government. It's only about $$$ and nothing else. They need revenue. People are against government taking their income by force. This is also going to free a lot of innocent people that are in prison, some for life, for what? A drug less harmful, less controlling or addictive than any other drug, including alcohol, legally available. Some people are addicted to sugar, and as far as the studies I've seen regarding its effects on the brain, it should be possibly banned or at minimum have warning labels...SUGAR.

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

The problem with marijuana is political point blank, it all started because of the discrimination of mexican and blacks and how the white powers did not want to associate with them or anything they did (research it, history will tell you). There is tons of money that could be made but because of the stereotype we continue knock this issue until we have no choice but accept it. Just like mango and guinep growing on tree, the 'problem' with marijuana cannot be justified or classified and after years and years of use there is not one fatality or serious health concern related to its use. Alcohol and Cigarettes are the worlds leading and known killers yet legal. Marijuana should be restricted to 21 years and over, and anyone under the influence should be advised not to work or operate machinery as a liability precaution for laborers. Cannabis is for responsible use and abuse does not lead to addiction or overdose. If you ask me this plant is the healing gold right in front of our faces.

spoitier 10 years, 9 months ago

If you restrict it to 21 and over, then how about kids that have epileptic seizures? Marijuana has shown signs to greatly reduce those seizures, it would need to be low in THC(which will get you high) and high in CBD which is the main ingredient to help with seizures. They are many different strain in this plant.

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

As far as the kids go, they would have to be prescribed and not use it without supervision. Restrict it to 21 if it becomes recreational.

spoitier 10 years, 9 months ago

I agree.

spoitier 10 years, 9 months ago

A strain that is low in THC and wouldn't get them high. Also, it would be in a liquid form, not smokable.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Babies drink breast milk which is rich with cannabinoids, the components of THC. There is much evidence of the benefits. Rory, all you have to do is look it up and read a tiny bit and you will learn a teensy bit more about it.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

In fact, if you research you will see that Big Pharma has already patented some cannabinoids and is presently creating drugs without the "high" so they can prescribe it to the masses.

concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago

quit wasting tons of money locking up people for a half bag ,,don,t make people pay a Doc for a perscription and pay someone connected who has the retail outlet,,let folks grow their own ,,,

banker 10 years, 9 months ago

Agreed again.

larry 10 years, 9 months ago

now every Bahamian will have glaucoma and can you take this "medication" on the job all jobs think about it

spoitier 10 years, 9 months ago

Marijuana is not only for glaucoma, it is for a whole lot of things that is known and unknown. I don't smoke and will be seing the doctor again on friday because i'm a candidate for glaucoma, if I have it, I will have to consider marijuana.

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

and of course your ignorant ass wont.

newcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago

Just a regular dumb ass

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Rory, the one who loses it, loses. I bet you would be fun in the bar until your 3rd Anejo & coke.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Rory you're so angry. Glad you don't drink...that would be a scary situation.

WinstonSmith 10 years, 9 months ago

He tries though, it's just that those raging emotions and knee jerk ad hominem attacks always seem to get in the way!

CommonSense 10 years, 9 months ago

You just a dumb ass Bahamian.

John 10 years, 9 months ago

The Bahamas will be caught between a rock and a hard place when Jamaica decriminalizes marijuana, and The United States and Canada legalizes it. Half the young males and many young girls are already strung out on weed and there is no saying if legalizing it will make it more popular or less. One thing for sure is the US has found it virtually impossible to continue the war on the marijuana drug even financially and so it has decided that to at least tolerate it legally, will take some strain off its resources. Jamaica is know to grow the better quality of marijuana, in its blue mountains so it takes an early hop on the bandwagon to supply Canada with its marijuana needs. The Bahamas is left in the middle, not sure what it is going to do.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Strung out on weed? lol... I think we need to talk about the liquor stores on each and every corner. Perhaps they were drunk and then smoked, which is a no no. Keep researching. You are misinformed.

sjohnson 10 years, 9 months ago

Hi John,

Can you please give me a call. My name is Sindear Johnson and my number is 328-7111 or you can send me an email on sjohnson@techadjust.com

CommonSense 10 years, 9 months ago

I don't agree with the term "strung out". You can't be "strung out" on weed. The Bahamas needs to get out of this "Christian nation" mentality first off.

SP 10 years, 9 months ago

Here they go again "TINKING" and half stepping when they should JUST LEGALIZE MARIJUANA ONE TIME" .

Several U.S. States have ALREADY DONE SO, Jamaica has had GANJA TOURS for years and Uruguay is the first country to fully legalize marijuana....

What does the Bahamas do........A-MUM...WE TINKIN YA SEE!!

JACKASS'S ONE AND ALL IN PARLIAMENT!

kingson 10 years, 9 months ago

The bahamas is in a goin broke

kingson 10 years, 9 months ago

Ok why is it that the bahamas already voted no Against the number businesses and yet we Still have illegal numbers still sell and worst Or all we have the police playing number And now its ok for me to go to a number House get escorted in and out by a security Officer but its not ok to get a five dallar Worth of marijuana with be lock up by police And after all rum is cause more problem

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

You keep calling people rude names, throwing insults etc. No matter the science, the studies and graphs, approval from doctors, proof of harmlessness, you are type to fight the fight not worth fighting, just for the sake of it. Nevertheless, let me try and educate you on something. Cannabinoids (look it up) are present in breast milk and play an important part for baby. So, you have been exposed to the components of THC if you were breast fed.

Thinker 10 years, 9 months ago

Sending your nasty self an e-hug. (((Squeeze)))

JohnDoes 10 years, 9 months ago

@rory You are just as bad as the uneducated who think they know everything, dont have a say if you dont support. Spreading your ignorance is only showing more and more why it shouldnt be illegal. You have made not one valid point yet, but you hate it so much. The point of being against something is understanding why you are, a biased person is an ignorant person.

concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago

@Rory i,ll bet a grand you don,t talk to people like this face to face ,if you do you tote plenty cut ass

concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago

@Rory mommas sofa is kinda lumpy huh , maybe she will make you some kippers for breakfast and you can dream of Queen Liz and your motherland ,,lmao

concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago

ii know you are white and of British heritage ,and not conchy joe ,but from ex pat parents

TheMadHatter 10 years, 9 months ago

I can see that a lot of people on here have never had to deal with a terminally ill, late stage cancer patient.

They have next to no appetite.

i have personally seen the weed help tremendously, the person ate, and maintained their weight for many months. They certainly would have died at least 6 months prior to when they did.

You could argue that they might as well have died instead of living 6 months in extreme pain - but that is a personal choice. Perhaps they had some affairs to settle - Will to make - grandchildren to see.

But of course - people would deny them this just because they think that Jesus Christ would not have liked Bob Marley had he ever met him.

TheMadHatter

TheMadHatter 10 years, 9 months ago

"Worse" than morphine? Man you must have never been in real serious pain. You would be begging for morphine if you had pancreatic cancer.

TheMadHatter 10 years, 9 months ago

Obiously (looking at your "dumb criminal" comment below - and the ones to my comments - you are only on here to talk nonsense.

i will not reply or acknowledge any of your comments from this point forward.

kingson 10 years, 9 months ago

Law and order where? not in this bahmas and asshole you talking about Smoking weed is as bad as murdering get ya dumb self they cud never Be the same you have the goverment then destroy planty you bahamians Lives and now seeing that they then do that now they talking about leting Go public now