It is time for a new CARICOM policy on marijuana
It is time for a regional policy that accepts limited possession and a regional medical marijuana industry
August 17, 2016
In April 2016 the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs ended without any significant change to the the UN Drug Control Conventions, despite strong representations for reform from Latin American and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries seeking a less prohibitionist global regime. Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs, Kamina Johnson-Smith, argued against a one size fits all approach, observing that all countries should be allowed the flexibility to craft appropriate laws and policies while continuing to undertake their international obligations. “We contend that the classification of cannabis under the Single Convention is an anomaly and that the medical value of a substance must be determined by science and evidence-based analysis, above other considerations,” Johnson-Smith said.
