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| US Issues Ganja Warning |
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Posted by FoM on August 17, 2001 at 09:41:41 PT Observer Reporter Source: Jamaica Observer 
A day after the National Ganja Commission revealed that it has recommended the decriminalisation of ganja in limited circumstances, the American Embassy hinted that Jamaica could face certification problems when the USA does its next annual narcotics review."The US government will consider Jamaica's adherence to its commitments under the 1988 UN Drug Convention when making its determination under the annual narcotics certification review," US Embassy spokesman Michael Koplovsky said in a curt statement yesterday. The commission, chaired by Professor Barry Chevannes, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, announced Wednesday, after months of public and private hearings across Jamaica, that it had recommended the decriminalisation of ganja for personal, private use by adults and for use as a sacrament for religious purposes. It also suggested that the administration should begin an intensive educational programme to reduce demand for the weed, particularly among young people; that the security forces increase their efforts of interdiction of large-scale cultivation of ganja and trafficking of all illegal drugs; and that the country, as a matter of urgency, should seek diplomatic support for its position and to influence the international community to re-examine the status of cannabis. The commission was established last year September by Prime Minister P J Patterson who asked it to examine the historical use of the ganja plant in Jamaica, by consulting with, and receiving submissions from relevant interest groups. The body was also required to indicate what changes, if any, are required to existing laws governing the use of ganja, or to recommend new legislation, taking into account social, cultural, economic and international considerations. But, the US government, through its mission here, had made it clear that it was opposed to decriminalisation of the drug. Jamaica is a signatory to the 1988 United Nations Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The treaty prohibits the manufacture, trade in, import, export, engagement in transit traffic, sale, handing over, market, purchase or acquisition of narcotic substances, among them ganja. Last night, one political analyst speculated that the terse nature of the US Embassy statement could influence the national debate Patterson expects on the issue, as any decertification from the Americans could affect aid programmes. In July this year, the United Kingdom police started a pilot project in south London in which persons caught with small amounts of ganja are let off with an on-the-spot warning and the drug confiscated. The project, which is to end in December this year, is aimed at giving the limited number of police in Lambeth borough more time to tackle hard drugs and crimes associated with crack and cocaine. Note: Decriminalisation could cause certification problems. Newshawk: Paul C. Related Articles: Decriminalise it, Says Ganja Commission Jamaica: The Ganja Culture Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #4 posted by Dan B on August 17, 2001 at 23:00:02 PT:
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| I just finished writing about Canada bowing to America's drug war, and along comes this attempt to get jamaica to do the same. The difference is that Canada does not recive signficant foreign aid from America, while Jamaica does. For that reason, I would excuse Jamaica for putting self-preservation before the interests of its own people. Almost. Here, we have another situation in which the United States believes it has the right to tell other countries how to conduct their personal business. I hope Jamaica has the balls to stand up to the United States. If so, maybe they can be an example for Canada. E. Johnson, Patrick and GANJA STUDENT--you are all correct. America has no place dictating policy to other countries, and there will come a time when the world's populace becomes fed up. When that happens, watch out America. I just hope I can afford to be on vacation in the Netherlands when the proverbial $#!t hits the fan. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by GANJA STUDENT on August 17, 2001 at 21:15:58 PT |
| WHO DIED FROM TOO MUCH GANJA AND LEFT YOU KING???OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!!!!THE U.S.DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO STOP ALL GANJA,NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK,AND UNTIL IT IS LEGALIZED,THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!!! THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Patrick on August 17, 2001 at 11:29:35 PT |
| Tears that our country (USA) has lost the principles for which it was founded upon. The choir here at cannabisnews.com knows them by heart. Tears because we no longer have a government by the people for the people. Tears because the evil and hate of WWWII, now lives through the draconian polices of a government by the government for the government. Tears that we teach our children about freedom, the American Revolution including famous quotes such as Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death. Tears for the most recent deaths in Houston and elsewhere. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by E. Johnson on August 17, 2001 at 10:14:18 PT |
| That's what we are, yes indeed. We bully our people at home, and we want everyone around the world to feel the same lack of freedom everywhere. [ Post Comment ] |
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