cannabisnews.com: NCDA, MAJ Supports Ganja Decriminalisation NCDA, MAJ Supports Ganja Decriminalisation Posted by FoM on August 18, 2001 at 13:07:58 PT Lead Story Source: Jamaica Gleaner The National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) and the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) have both come out in support of the recommendation of the National Commission on Ganja to decriminalise the substance for private, personal use."The Council is going along with the general feeling throughout the world that you should not be deemed a criminal for smoking a spliff," said Dr. Charles Thesiger, NCDA chairman and senior lecturer in Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies (UWI). "The dilemma now is for the law-makers to decide how to draft a law which can balance decriminalising ganja use with other aspects of the laws about ganja."He said the Council is of the view that decriminalisation is not likely to cause an increase in abuse of the substance, nor will it act as a first step towards full-fledged legalisation."I don't think it will ever be legalised here," Dr. Thesiger added.The NCDA, whose representative Dr. Eileen Goldson was deputy chairperson of the Commission, made a number of submissions during its hearings.MAJ president, Dr. Winston Dawes, said his association also supports decriminalisation, despite the harmful medical effects of ganja smoking, because it believes private, personal use should not be a criminal offence."We will, however, continue to educate people about the harmful effects of smoking in general, and if they want to go ahead and use the 'poison' then that is up to them," he told The Gleaner.The MAJ's position came out of its symposium on ganja held last year, he said.Dr. Dawes stressed, however, that the MAJ has steered clear of the recommendation relating to ganja use for religious purposes. "We decided not to comment on the religious use because by bringing in the religious sacrament thing you are opening up the potential for abuse. Anybody can say they are forming a church based on ganja smoking."Source: Jamaica Gleaner, The (Jamaica)Published: August 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Gleaner Company LimitedContact: feedback jamaica-gleaner.comWebsite: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Association of Jamaicahttp://www.maj.org.jm/US Backlash Against Ganja http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10640.shtmlUS Issues Ganja Warninghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10637.shtmlDecriminalise it, Says Ganja Commission http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10627.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by mayan on August 19, 2001 at 10:16:23 PT Legalize It Already!!! Yes- 80%No- 20%Total votes- 6,437Will the politicians ever catch up to the people? If not, we need new politicians! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dan B on August 18, 2001 at 22:26:28 PT: Scientific American poll so far Should medical marijuana be legal? Yes 79% No 21% Total number of votes: 6149 Keep on sending in your votes! http://www.sciam.comDan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Barks on August 18, 2001 at 22:11:02 PT Supports Decriminalisation but not spelling nuff said [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Anonymous on August 18, 2001 at 17:02:20 PT Should medical marijuana be legal? Respond to Scientific American poll:http://www.sciam.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by MDG on August 18, 2001 at 15:56:09 PT Jesus made wine...his Father made Cannabis. I think when Jamaica notices the money coming in from the flood of smoking American tourists, they'll give the finger to "American Aid", and legalize all together. Who'd want to fly to the Netherlands when they can kick it on Jamaican beaches? Greenfox, you should have saved that airfare and put it toward sunblock! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ras James rsifwh on August 18, 2001 at 14:35:33 PT Dr. Dawes look out danger. Dr. Dawes of the Medical Association of Jamaica, you have refused to take a stand on the sacramental use of Cannabis Sativa for Rastafarians or Hindu Sadhus. Let Ras James say that the Father, Haile Selassie I, has made it clear; "...There will be War everywhere...War in your own home...War in the East....War in the West...War up North...and War down South." You're own family will not know peace...so for the sake of your children, your family, and for yourself...you must take a stance...and now.Christians have always had in the Americas a legal right to use Alcohol...which is a very dangerous drug that causes death, addiction, and contributes to many abuses. However, Cannabis Sativa is safer medically than a cup of coffee...so Ras James says stop this insanity now...free the weed.Yes! Stop Sacred Herb prohibition now! For Haile Selassie I addressed the United Nations in 1968 with this warning, "...Until there are no longer first class and second class citzens in any Nation, I'll just have to say, 'War! War everywhere! War in ....'"Cannabis Sativa smokers are now second class citzens in the United States, in Jamaica, etc., etc. The Father of Creation has spoken! Me cannot help you. Each person must look and see for I-self...but I-man incourages all to, "Open your eyes and look within!" and then answer Marley's question, "Are you satisfied with the life you're living?"It's like the Zen Master told his student. "I might like to piss for you, but I cannot. You have to piss for yourself."Give all Praise and Thanks to Jah Rastafari who liveth and reignith in each and every human...black or white...dreadlocked or bald...male or female...young or old..oppressor or oppressed...rich or poor. Yes King Alpha and Queen Omega has given I-tenal Redemption to All through the Grace of The Son, Jesus. Smoke and/or just accept Cannabis Sativa as the promised Tree of Life in the Book of Revelation 22:1&2; and you shall know Eternal Peace...for Overstanding that the Manifesting of Cannabis as the Tree of Life marks the beginning realization of th I-ternal City of God here on Earth.How good and pleasant it would be for you, Dr. Dawes, to be able to sing with feeling. "I see skies of blue, and clouds of white; and I think to myself, 'What a wonderful world!'"It's up to you...me see the Kingdom before me and within me...Open your eyes! And look within! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment