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My Source: The Daily Gleaner, Wednesday, May 16, 2014
Article link: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colum...-coin_16464556
Please note: I have omitted the opening paragraphs (the first three paragraphs), but you can easily read the entire column by clicking on the Gleaner link above.
The other side of the ganja gold coin
Anthony GOMES
[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="2"]Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The decriminalisation of ganja for recreational use is being scrutinised by the Jamaican Government. There is no plan, to the best of our knowledge, to legalise ganja for recreational purposes. Decriminalisation would permit the purchase and use of small quantities of the weed for personal consumption. Smoking ganja in public places or in the vicinity of schools would be subject to the same rules as for cigarettes, which prohibit smoking in public places. The protection of children is of the utmost importance as the drug is known to be addictive and seriously damaging in many ways to the health of users. More on this concern follows given the number and variety of potential health risks associated with ganja use.
Two popular fallacious examples frequently referred to need to be clarified. Firstly, it is often claimed that Portugal has legalised all illicit drugs. While drug use, possession, and acquisition are still illicit activities in Portugal, these acts have been decriminalised, not legalised. The second example is that the Netherlands has liberalised all illicit drugs. Factually, in Holland, it is illegal to sell all kinds of drugs. In dealing with cannabis quantity is taken into account. Coffee shops can sell up to five grammes per person a day and are not prosecuted. However, they are liable to heavy penalties for selling large quantities presumed to be for trade. Measures are taken to control the sale of drugs on the street, and importantly in private dwellings and public places other than coffee shops.
Article link: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colum...-coin_16464556
Please note: I have omitted the opening paragraphs (the first three paragraphs), but you can easily read the entire column by clicking on the Gleaner link above.
The other side of the ganja gold coin
Anthony GOMES
[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="2"]Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The decriminalisation of ganja for recreational use is being scrutinised by the Jamaican Government. There is no plan, to the best of our knowledge, to legalise ganja for recreational purposes. Decriminalisation would permit the purchase and use of small quantities of the weed for personal consumption. Smoking ganja in public places or in the vicinity of schools would be subject to the same rules as for cigarettes, which prohibit smoking in public places. The protection of children is of the utmost importance as the drug is known to be addictive and seriously damaging in many ways to the health of users. More on this concern follows given the number and variety of potential health risks associated with ganja use.
Two popular fallacious examples frequently referred to need to be clarified. Firstly, it is often claimed that Portugal has legalised all illicit drugs. While drug use, possession, and acquisition are still illicit activities in Portugal, these acts have been decriminalised, not legalised. The second example is that the Netherlands has liberalised all illicit drugs. Factually, in Holland, it is illegal to sell all kinds of drugs. In dealing with cannabis quantity is taken into account. Coffee shops can sell up to five grammes per person a day and are not prosecuted. However, they are liable to heavy penalties for selling large quantities presumed to be for trade. Measures are taken to control the sale of drugs on the street, and importantly in private dwellings and public places other than coffee shops.
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