Less than a week after a senior member of his cabinet called on Dominicans to begin a debate on the issue of decriminalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes or otherwise, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the issue.
Supports use for medical and religious purposes
Speaking on a radio program on Tuesday night, Skerrit told listeners that he supports the use of marijuana for religious and medicinal purposes but that discussions must first be held with local and international stakeholders before any legislation is brought to the Parliament.
“There are many people in this country who have proclaimed that marijuana oil is helping them fight cancer and issues relating to the suffering from cancer,” Skerrit said, adding “and I believe that the citizens of Dominica need to seriously engage on this matter for marijuana for medicinal purposes”.
He said a decision of this nature cannot just be taken in abeyance, noting “there are a number of other aspects one has to consider.
Skerrit said, “I believe that we need to allow people who are registered as Rastafarians in certain localities, certain areas where they practice their religion to be allowed to use this for religious purposes.”
Baffled!
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Reginald Austrie said he was baffled as to why Dominicans are afraid of debating the issue of decriminalization of marijuana whether it is or medicinal or other purposes.
“In St Vincent (and the Grenadines) they talking about it, CARICOM (Caribbean Community) has taken a decision to begin to talk about it. Why are we not talking about it more in Dominica?
“That’s the question I am asking. Are we prepared as a country to begin to talk about it. It is too much like a big stick within Dominica when the rest of the world is already talking about it,” Austrie said.
Skerrit told radio listeners that the country must also be mindful that many people, especially the youths, “who must be protected from the abuse of any substance because everybody’s make-up is different.”
