By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis yesterday expressed support for the advancement of legislation to reduce the length of time that convictions for small amounts of marijuana remain on criminal records.
Mr Davis pointed to the devastating impact these convictions have on young men during a rally to mark International Men’s Day at the Western Esplanade.
The Progressive Liberal Party Leader and Cat Island MP said convicted youth are restricted to the outskirts of Bahamian society, adding the phenomenon has cultivated an underclass more susceptible to conflict with the law.
Mr Davis said: “Legislative advancements to reduce the time on which the offence remains on one’s record and the regional thrust through CARICOM to re-categorize marijuana from an illegal narcotic to a controlled substance are steps in the right direction in rescuing many of our young men.”
CARICOM’s Regional Marijuana Commission (RMC) presented its report on the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana in the region earlier this year.
It called for an end to the prohibition of marijuana, and a regulatory framework that saw the plant treated similarly to tobacco and alcohol.
Mr Davis’ remarks turned to recreational marijuana as he spoke on human rights issues affecting men in the country. While he acknowledged the 2016 gender equality referendum was democratically rejected, Mr Davis insisted the country must not abandon that “noble fight”.
“I point out that question # 3 on the last constitutional referendum on gender equality sought to address and equalize the rights of single fathers regarding their children,” he said.
“Even though the question was democratically rejected and expanded rights to some of our men denied, we must not abandon that noble fight.
Mr Davis continued: “On the issue of the recreational use of marijuana, we all know that the criminal records associated with the possession of small quantities of marijuana have all but destroyed the lives of too many of our young men – literally keeping them on the periphery of the Bahamian socioeconomic mainstream.
“This has cultivated an underclass that has led to an increase in instances of conflicts with the law,” he added.
Comments
DWW 6 years, 1 month ago
Hey dipsmith an entire country just sold out of all the marijuana they had in a few short days... Wake up grandpa
sealice 6 years, 1 month ago
All the people his peeps dem locked up and now he has to ask the FNM to do this? Just showing the hypocrisy in full colour thanks Brave....
DWW 6 years, 1 month ago
Meanwhile in canada
TheMadHatter 6 years, 1 month ago
Yall should have done that while in power. People been begging for this LONG TIME. Please don't think people will be stupid enough to vote for you because you promise this in the next election.
Just like FNM "transparency". A promise is a comfort to a fool. We still looking for the VAT money.
Next election i am getting together 39 bums off the street and personally paying all their $400 candidate fees. We will be the DNP. The "Do Nothing Party". We will promise to do nothing. People will vote for us just to get the FNM & PLP out of office. They know they will get nothing - but that's what they gonna get with you three Parties - so who cares?
DDK 6 years, 1 month ago
Another good one Oh Mad One!
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 1 month ago
Just legalize the stuff already. Damn. It's about as dangerous as air.....
sheeprunner12 6 years, 1 month ago
The way that Brave talks in Parliament sounds like he is always smoking weed ........ smt
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