LEADER of the National Independence Party (NIP), constitutional lawyer, Mr. Saphier Hussain, is contending that it is one of the most ‘absurd’ things to engage in talks to legalise marijuana, as that action can be equated to ‘smoking’ the stuff.

He said that many ills already beset the nation, and legalising marijuana would only add to those woes. He said he has seen many users appear in the courts, and has firsthand knowledge of marijuana’s destructive tendencies from the narrations of those victims.
Both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have said they would consider legalising marijuana if elected to office. Members of the local Rastafarian community have also said they would throw their support behind any political party which supports the legalisation of marijuana.

The Healing the Nation Theocracy Party headed by Ras Leon Saul has since joined forces with the AFC+ APNU coalition as the country heads to the May 11 polls. Saul parted ways with Vishnu Bandhu, the Presidential Candidate of the United Republican Party (URP) following a disagreement on the legalisation of marijuana.

Like Hussain, Bandhu has maintained that marijuana, currently illegal in Guyana but legal in Jamaica, Argentina and several states in the USA, is destructive and would do the nation more harm than good.
Saul has, however, contended that the use of marijuana is part of the Rastafarian culture, and has pointed out that he cannot belong to a party that does not represent the sacramental values of ‘his people’.

NO SUPPORT
Hussain has also criticised the laws of the land, saying that homosexuality is encouraged. He has made it clear that his party would not be supporting the decriminalisation of same-sex unions, even if it has to lose gay supporters.

He said that, as a Christian, he holds strongly to the belief that homosexuality is against God’s Will, and while he is uncertain about the homo erectus, the practice should not be normalised among homo sapiens.

He was, however, quick to point out that homosexuals should not be discriminated against, as God is forgiving, is all-embracing, and loves gay people; but he says the focus should be mainly on changing gay people.

Taking issue with the law, Hussain posited that even if a man knows a woman and is in a relationship with her, if he touches her hand and she does not like it, or if she has some issue with him, he can be in trouble.

He can be accused of molestation or even attempted rape, depending on the mood of the woman, even though the intention was just a gentle greeting.

Because of the law, he said, men have to be careful, even when they politely greet some women, for the sake of it not being construed as their making an advance on the woman. This situation, Hussain said, is troublesome and can influence some men to go in the wrong direction.

Hussain, whose party is known for resurfacing close to election, told this publication that he needs just two seats in the upcoming election. He has promised to not only ‘fix the law, but many of the problems affecting Guyanese’.

IMPACT
The NIP Leader said his party has thus far been able to capture a few disaffected AFC supporters, and he is hoping that after the results have been declared, the NIP would emerge as the new third force.

By Tajeram Mohabir