Status of marijuana in 2016

THERE ARE numerous names for Cannabis sativa including marijuana, ganja, weed, pot, grass, joint, joystick, and maryjane, to name a few. In South Africa it is dagga, in North Africa kiff, in Spain mota and in Hawaii pakalolo. In some Latin American countries high quality marijuana is called punto rojo or colombiana.

Cannabis sativa originated in Asia, possibly in India, where it has a long history veiled in legends and religion. It is mentioned in historical scriptures and in sacred Hindu texts as early as 1500 BC.

According to the sacred texts, cannabis was one of five sacred plants and a guardian angel lived in its leaves. It was reputed to be a source of happiness, a joy-giver and liberator that was given to people to help them attain delight, lose fear and release them from anxiety.

Cannabis is illegal in India, but it is readily available and no attempts are made to arrest the sellers.

The 1961 international treaty on narcotic drugs included cannabis among the hard drugs. During the discussions, the Indian delegation opposed the meeting’s intolerance to the social and religious customs of India and as a compromise “bhang”, a milk-based drink which is traditionally prepared from pulverised buds and leaves of the cannabis plant, was excluded from the definition of “cannabis”. This allowed India to carry on its centuries- old tradition of consumption of bhang during Holi and other religious festivities.

For centuries the villagers of Malana in north India have been growing cannabis from which they produce “charas”, the sticky black hashish called “Malana cream” which, although illegal, is the villagers’ only source of income.

Few people would associate Israel with marijuana but for more than 50 years, Israel has been a pioneer in medical cannabis research and development. The cultivation, possession and use of marijuana is illegal in Israel, except when used for medical purposes, which are strictly controlled.

Decriminalisation of marijuana has been on the Caricom agenda since September 2013 when Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, wrote a letter to then Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the then chairperson of Caricom, calling for serious discussion on the medicinal value of marijuana at the Caricom level.

At the Caricom Heads of Government meeting in Antigua in August, 2014, it was agreed to establish a regional commission to conduct an inquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use. The commission was expected to submit its report by Caricom’s next summit, scheduled for last February, but no such report was tabled.

Meanwhile, in 2015, Jamaica took the lead and decriminalised the possession and use of small quantities of marijuana, paving the way for the legalisation of the drug for medical purposes.

In colonial Trinidad and British Guiana (Guyana), East Indian indentured workers were issued with a monthly supply of ganja (marijuana) by the colonial government.

In Trinidad the imported stocks of ganja were stored at the Queens Warehouse of the Customs.

Unfortunately, during the fire which destroyed the Custom House in 1978, a significant loss of important historical artefacts occurred when the “Ganja Register” and other documents, the scales and other items used in the issuing of ganja to indentured workers were lost.

It is important to note the significant difference between decriminalisation and legalisation. With decriminalisation there are no jail sentences or monetary penalties imposed for simple possession. It does not cover use, sale or storage, for which there would still be criminal penalties. The legalisation of marijuana or other drug means that you can acquire, possess and use said drug without fear of any criminal prosecution.

* Next week, in Part II, I will discuss the sale and price of m a r i - juana in some US states