A GROUP of “concerned Guyanese” is intensifying their efforts to have the use of cannabis decriminalised or legalised in Guyana. Hemp refers to strains of Cannabis Sativa that have been bred specifically for fiber used for clothing and construction, oils and topical ointments, nutritional benefits and a wide and growing variety of other purposes that does not involve intoxication.

On the other hand, Marijuana is used to describe strains of Cannabis Sativa specifically bred for the potent resinous glands (trichomes) that grow on the flowers and some leaves (buds). Marijuana, which can also be used for medical purposes, is smoked in cigarettes for their intoxicating effect. Consumption of Marijuana (cannabis) in Guyana is illegal.

However, with 19 countries having decriminalised or legalised the use of cannabis, the group of Guyanese believe that “the world is waking up slowly but surely” to realise the financial behemoth cannabis is.

In similar fashion, the group, which includes Kamana Burnham, son of former President L. F. S. Burhman, believes that Guyana needs to “wake up much sooner” to recognize the economic benefits of decriminalizing or legalising cannabis.

“We literally cannot afford to do what we seem inclined to do, play catch up with the progress of the rest of the world” the group shared in a full page advertisement, which highlights the benefits of cannabis. The advertisement was published in the Wednesday, April 5 edition of the Guyana Chronicle.
Comparing revenues generated from sugar – one of Guyana’s largest foreign exchange earners – the group pointed out that in 2013, the state of Colarado generated US$328M through the use of medical marijuana. This was US$128M more than what Guyana earns from sugar annually.

With marijuana having been completely legalised in Colorado that year, the state generated more than US$2.4B through its use in 2016. The advertisement also highlighted that it took only 4,718 acres to grow medical and recreational marijuana, which generated US2.4B. Compared to sugar cane, which utilises 98,000 acres of land in Guyana, Colorado used five per cent of the land space and generated 12 times the amount of money that Guyana generates from sugar.

Further, it pointed out that in 2016, 18,005 new jobs were created by the cannabis industry, while the sugar industry in Guyana employs 18,000 persons. The group sought to emphasise, in their advertisement, that it is no secret that the pharmaceuticals and alcohol industries continue to lobby and fund studies against marijuana.

“Regular analgesic use (ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.) in California has dropped by half. That represents losses of hundreds of millions of dollars to marijuana,” the ad reads.
“In this plant lies the agricultural boom none have seen since sugar fed the colonial super powers” it adds.

The decriminalisation of marijuana in Guyana has been a topical issue, given the fact that individuals, primarily youths, are often remanded to prison for having small amounts of the substance in their possession. Member of Parliament (MP), Michael Carrington is expected to bring a bill to the National Assembly to have the law struck down. He has said that the bill is going through some fine tuning, which examines penalties and use of the substance. Meanwhile, President David Granger has said that Cabinet will soon be reviewing marijuana regulation as part of a broader effort to reduce prison overcrowding.
Granger had noted that the government is not in favor of decriminalisation, but that personal use of the drug “would be given consideration” with a proposal to eliminate jail time for possession of less than 15 grams of the drug.

Within the region, Jamaica decriminalised the use of marijuana in 2015. That country’s law states that possession of up to 2 oz. of the substance will be considered a petty offense, without going on a person’s criminal record.

The country also legalised the cultivation of up to five marijuana plants on any premises and the use of the drug for religious purposes. Additionally, tourist-prescribed medical marijuana abroad can apply for a permit to buy it in that country.