THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government, at its recently concluded 35th meeting of regional leaders in Antigua and Barbuda, agreed on the establishment of a Regional Commission on marijuana use.

And Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, in an invited comment yesterday, stated that his position on the matter is to await the report of the Commission’s work.
“We will have to await the report from the Commission,” he said.

ZERO-TOLERANCE
Rohee, in January, had reaffirmed the Government of Guyana’s zero-tolerance policy on all drugs that are deemed illicit, including marijuana, whose legalisation has recently sparked significant debate at the international level.
According to him, Government has not discussed the issue and it is unclear when it would do so.
Rohee had said, “As we speak at this point in time, at twenty minutes to five, on the twenty-eighth day of January, the position and the policy of the government of Guyana is to pursue a zero-tolerance policy in respect of trafficking in narcotics, possession of narcotics and any other form of activity in respect of drugs that are deemed illegal according to the laws of our country and according to the treaties and conventions of an international nature which we have signed onto.”
“…until such time that the policy changes, some point in time, whoever is responsible for this matter will announce the time, the date and the policy of the government.
“…it remains illegal here and up until those changes, we will actively pursue those who cultivate and supply it.”
The Minister was at the time speaking at the launch of the National Drug Report for 2012, compiled by the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, at his Brickdam Office.
According to the report, cannabis and cocaine continue to be the two main types of illicit drugs which are being trafficked and consumed locally, based on the seizures.
However, confiscation of small quantities of ecstasy, heroin, and hashish over the past two years has been a new development.
During 2012, CANU made seizures amounting to 103 kilogrammes (kg) and 660g of cocaine (with a value of $93,600,000) and 111kg and 564g of cannabis (with a value of $20,160,000).
During this period 33 cases were made out and 36 persons were charged. Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority’s enforcement unit seized 561kg and 780g of cocaine ($504,900,000) for which two cases were made and two were charged.
In total, 151 people were charged for cocaine trafficking and/or consumption from 139 cases.

DECRIMINALIZATION
Meanwhile, Guyana-born United States-based security expert, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, during a recent visit here advocated the decriminalisation of marijuana.
The Regional Commission on Marijuana is expected to conduct a rigorous enquiry into the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the Region and to advise whether there should be a change in the current drug classification of marijuana, thereby making the drug more accessible for a range of users.

(By Vanessa Narine)