The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ position on marijuana remains unchanged despite the regional bid to further studies on its medicinal use. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell maintained that there has been no further consideration on legalisation in an interview with The Tribune yesterday.

His comments follow the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) decision to establish a commission to research the social, economic, health and legal issues related to the regional use of the plant.

Mr Mitchell said: “The question of marijuana hasn’t been advanced. The commission is not meant to deal with legalisation but whether or not (marijuana) has medicinal uses, so the issue is to be studied.”

During the 35th Regular Meeting of Caricom last week, Mr Mitchell said the Bahamas made representations for the timely resolution of two constitutional matters: the controversial Dominican Republic ruling that has led to the de-nationalisation of persons of Haitian descent and British restrictions imposed on the government of Turks and Caicos.

He added: “As the lead country and spokesperson for the Turks and Caicos within CARICOM, we just updated colleagues on the status of things between the British government and Turks and Caicos. Right now, the complaint is that the constitutional restrictions imposed are choking off the ability of the (Turks and Caicos) government to invest in social projects.” 

Mr Mitchell said: “For instance, they need a high school and are unable to do so because they don’t have the fiscal space.

“Our view is that there be a return to full democracy in the Turks and Caicos and the only thing that should be reserved to British government is defence and foreign affairs.”

Jamaica announced last month plans to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana through amendments to its Dangerous Drugs Act.

More than 40 countries are now considering changes to legislation against the plant for medicinal or recreational use with notable efforts, including Uruguay’s sweeping legalisation in December, and booming medicinal and recreational industries.

On a local talk show earlier this year, US Embassy Acting Deputy Chef de 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.

Shortly after Mr Armstrong’s comments, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson dismissed questions over whether the government would consider Jamaica’s bid to legalise marijuana.

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

In April, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes was an issue with which the Bahamas government will soon be confronted.