Georgetown: The Government of Guyana, as a member state of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), will be supporting the regional Commission that is to be set up by Caricom to address issues relating to the use of marijuana.
Recognising that this is a global fight, Guyana has been partnering with various countries and organisations. The country has, over the years, developed close cooperative relations with neighbouring Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname (formal agreements have been entered into with all three countries).
Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett explained that while Guyana has not changed any of its laws to legalise the use of marijuana, it will nevertheless support the Commission that was mandated to be set up by Caricom Heads of Government.
“I don’t think the Commission has been established as yet so we support the Commission doing its work,” she said. Rodrigues-Birkett noted that after the commissioners are selected, they will meet and then present a report to the member countries. The Minister said that when the report is presented, Guyana will consider participating in the regional Commission. As it relates to Guyana’s position on the topic of marijuana legalisation, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett told Guyana Times that while the country has not changed any of its laws at this point, it is yet to make a pronouncement on the matter. She noted that the country cannot position itself against the legalisation and then on the other hand support discussion on the matter.
Position
“Guyana’s position at the moment is that we support the Commission so it cannot be that Guyana is saying we don’t want any discussion on this, but then we support the Commission,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
At the recently concluded 25th Intersessional Meeting, Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, during a press conference disclosed that the heads had engaged in an intense discussions on the issue and decided that a regional Commission be established to address issues identified in relation to marijuana use.
According to the Community Chairman, the medical use and the decriminalisation of small quantities for recreational use were discussed
He further stated that concerns were expressed about the repercussion that would follow the legalisation and the decriminalisation of the drug, particularly as it relates to potential public and mental health hazards. The Commission is expected to report to the regular meeting of the conference in July 2014.
Meanwhile, there have been heated debate across the Caribbean over the legalisation of the drug; however, no country has taken the drastic step forward.
Much of these deliberations have been in Jamaica, ,which is considered the largest producer of marijuana in the Caribbean. Stakeholders in the country, prior to these discussions by Caricom, have urged the Jamaican Government to legalise the drug in order to boost the country’s economy.
In Guyana, there is division on the issue also. However, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, earlier this year, maintained that Government has a zero-tolerance policy on all drugs that are deemed illicit, which include marijuana.
He 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.
Support
The report is produced annually by the Home Affairs Ministry through support from the task force; the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU); the Narcotic Branch of the Guyana Police Force; the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); and the Financial Intelligence Unit.
It highlights the actions taken by the Government through the various agencies to curb both the demand and supply of drugs. It also reviews policies and results achieved from a balanced, multisectoral approach in dealing with challenges of trafficking and substance abuse.
Rohee had said then that far too often, the constant fight against the drug trade is taken for granted and due recognition is not given to the relevant agencies in the security sector who continue to wage war against drug cartels, and battle with this scourge on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana. He lauded all the operatives from the various agencies and the task force for coordinating and combining those efforts.
“This document shows the extent to which national efforts are being made in this direction,” the Minister said.
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