In a further positive development towards ending the prohibition of cannabis in the Caribbean, Prime Minister (PM) Timothy Harris of St. Kitts and Nevis has established a National Marijuana Commission. The task force will be headed by the island’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, and is designed to research the various implications involved in decriminalizing the plant.
The commission will include stakeholders from the education, health, law enforcement, banking, and religious communities.
During his monthly press conference, PM Harris stated that he wants the commission to conduct a “vigourous enquiry into the social, economic, health, and legal issues surrounding production and marijuana use in St. Kitts and Nevis, as a precursor to a determination on the current drug classification of marijuana.” He also cited Jamaica as an example of modern day cannabis reform.
The island’s former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin, is also in favour of looser laws towards marijuana. Martin has gone on record saying that the “outright demonization of nature’s creation is illogical and imprudent.”
The April 5th press conference announcing the commission concluded with a reminder that marijuana in St. Kitts and Nevis is still illegal. Regardless of that fact, this clear drop of empathy could lead to the end of cannabis prohibition in yet another Caribbean nation.
credit:marijuana.com
