BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE topical issue of the decriminalization of marijuana is not as clear cut as one may think says Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris. And while he is open to consultation and conversations on the matter, there are several crosscutting issues that must be considered before any action towards decriminalization is taken.
Dr. Harris addressed the issue yesterday (Sept. 7) while appearing on WINN FM 98.9’s ‘Voices’ programme.
He explained that for engagement and discourse with the Government to take place, there must be sufficient public sentiment in support of changing the laws.
As it stands, members of the Rastafarian community have been lobbying for the decriminalization of “the herb” and they have were joined by other members of the Kittitian and Nevisian society in their stance.
“We start with what the law is. That has to be the start in a country devoted to law and order, and the law is the law and the law should be enforced to the fullest extent. If there is in fact a powerful public sentiment for changing the law, there are mechanisms for reflecting this and demonstrating this to the Government, and the Government will engage in further discussion with respect to this.”
Prime Minister Harris explained what he described as the lopsidedness of the “power arrangements” which see larger countries enjoying different standards to “poor, smaller countries”.
He also explained that although there are some states within the USA that have decriminalized marijuana, the Federal Government has not ventured to do so.
“Indeed at a meeting with President Obama in Jamaica when this matter was raised, President Obama said he did not see this happening as far as a Federal Policy during his own lifetime. That was what he said to us in a candid discussion. He did also make the point about whether or not if this had become, as it were, an un-criminal activity that one could engage profitably in an economic endeavour. And he said to the Prime Minister who had muted that particular proposition: ‘You would never be able to compete as a Caribbean in relation to this with America. So if you are looking for an economic argument, you will have none. Whatever you can do in the Caribbean in relation to this, we can do it and we are far advanced.’ It speaks to the asymmetry in the power relationship.
“The truth is some persons speak to what is happening among states in the USA; the Federal Government has not moved to adopt a federal position in relation to decriminalizing as far as I understand it.”
Again, using Jamaica – which has decriminalized the use of marijuana – as an example, he said the island is having to deal with some international dynamics regarding the banking sector.
“I say these things without taking a particular position…we have to obey the law. But I say this only to bring to the knowledge and attention of the country that this is a very complex matter that we have to give good consideration. And I make reference to another important bit of information, where is Jamaica they have started to do that. I have heard one Prime Minister say that the banks in Jamaica who are accepting monies from persons who are known to be involved in the growing of this particular herb, they are having problems in getting the banks to accept their deposits because the banks are saying: ‘We operate in an international market place.’
“Whatever you all do here, we have a bigger watchdog and we are not going to lose our banking license. We are not going to subject ourselves to greater risks as a result of accepting monies from sources that they consider to be dubious in an international setting; so we have to take into account the international dynamics of the actions that we will take. This does not deny that you are a sovereign country, but you have to be sensible with your sovereignty.”
The Finance Minister explained that crime is also one of the issues that has to be weighed if the decriminalization of marijuana is to be considered.
