Dear Editor,

I wish to add my voice to the call for an amendment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, for the non-custodial sentencing of persons found with and convicted of having a smoking utensil and/or small amounts of cannabis (marijuana), for personal use.

From the humane, social and economic standpoints, I do believe it is the correct thing to do.

Once the amendment has been passed and assented to, I also think that presidential pardons should be granted to those incarcerated persons who have been convicted of the abovenamed offence.

We have been speaking about innovation for some time. Herein is an opportunity for Guyana, via institutions like our University of Guyana, to conduct research and add to the existing body of knowledge on medical uses of marijuana.

However, with our current act, this kind of research would be unlawful in several respects.

Thus, this is another justification/reason why our Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act should be amended.

Yours sincerely

Valmikki Singh