BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jul. 11.2018 – REGIONAL leaders have agreed that actions are needed at the national level by authorities to deal with marijuana use
That position was taken after leaders reviewed the Regional Marijuana Commission’s Report, which was submitted to the Heads of Government during the recently concluded conference.
The CARICOM Marijuana Commission’s Report was one of a number of topics discussed at the just concluded 39th Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
According to a communiqué from the conference, leaders welcomed the Report of the Regional Commission on Marijuana. They noted its findings, conclusions and recommendations in particular with respect to human and religious rights; the social and developmental impact of use among adolescents; the economic benefits to be derived and issues related to its classification.
They agreed that action should be taken at the national level by the relevant authorities to review marijuana’s current status with a view to reclassification taking into account all international obligations.
They also expressed concern about the effect of marijuana use on young person given the conclusive evidence that existed.
At the national level in St. Kitts and Nevis, the government has established a national commission to carry out work on its use in the federation.
The commission has been meeting with various stakeholders in St. Kitts and Nevis to best determine the way forward with its use.
At the end of a series of meetings, the body is expected to submit a report that will guide the government on whether it should be decriminalize or not.
However, the leaders recognised that Member States will need to review the Report in more detail to determine actions at the national level in relation to law reform models as proposed by the Commission.
“Heads of Government recognized that the current classification of marijuana as an illicit drug presented a challenge in the conduct of research to fully understand and ascertain the medicinal benefits to be derived,” the Communiqué said.
