Andrew backs AJ on weed caution
Published:Tuesday | February 4, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Opposition Leader Andrew Holness yesterday came down on the side of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson, who has argued that Jamaica must be wary of the United States in pursuing a marijuana agenda.
Holness stressed, however, that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) would not be ambushed in its preparation of an acceptable framework within which the country can benefit from the legalisation or decriminalisation of weed.
He acknowledged that the State Department in the United States cannot be ignored in the scheme of things.
"The challenge is that any government must pay close attention to its relationship,s as well as treaty obligations with countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom," he said.
Although the Jamaican Government is being encouraged by foreign advocates to forge ahead with changing its laws to decriminalise marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use, Nicholson has suggested that the country still has to proceed with caution in one area.
He said the attitude of larger Western nations on decriminalisation remains foggy at best.
Holness agreed. He stressed that these powerful countries must give clear directions on the way they intend to go.
"In the United States, in particular, their internal states are making strides and moving quickly," he said.
Added Holness: "I think the State Department needs to give a definitive position ... . The positions that I have seen are not definitive, as they seem to be tentative with a 'let's-wait-and-see' attitude, but we need to see clearly what is its position."
legalisation framework
Holness said until then, the Opposition was focused on establishing a framework for legalisation because there are many constituents to consider.
He disclosed that extensive presentations are scheduled for next week's shadow Cabinet session, with four experts/professionals to speak from a medical, law enforcement, legislative and social/religious perspective.
"It makes any eminent sense to support the legalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes," argued Holness. "It has potential for a broad-based development of commerce and industry in Jamaica, so we have to take advantage of that."
As such, Holness said the JLP was looking at various systems throughout the world to see how it could be best achieved in Jamaica.