Dear Editor,

Those pushing for the legalization of marijuana should take note of the growing number of murders of Guyana’s innocent citizens, and now a young, promising non-resident. I have yet to hear of one murderer who was not a drug addict. All these murders-for-hire, all these premeditated killings, all the savage robbery-murders are being perpetrated by a set of young drug addicts, whose minds are being altered by the imbibing of the abundance of narcotic substances available here in Guyana.

In 2010, Patricia Spottencrow, an Oklahoma mother of four, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling just $31 worth of marijuana. For many, the sentence was too harsh, especially since the convicted woman was a first time offender who had fallen on hard times.

Sixteen representatives of several Rastafarian organisations on Wednesday met with the Attorney General Basil Williams at his invitation in the AG’s Chambers and a key issue discussed was the decriminalisation of two ounces of marijuana for personal use.

In recent weeks there have been stepped up calls for the decriminalising of the possession of small amounts of the drug for personal and religious use amid a flood of such cases in the court leading to incarceration.

In 2010, Patricia Spottencrow, an Oklahoma mother of four, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling just $31 worth of Marijuana. For many, the sentence was too harsh, especially since the convicted woman was a first time offender who had fallen on hard times.

But imagine how harder it has been for Rich Paul who had to stare down at a sentence of more than 80 years in a U.S prison for Marijuana; or Larry Duke, a Vietnam war veteran who is also serving life imprisonment for marijuana in the United States.

It would be contradictory for the Government to make attempts at the legislative level to decriminalize the use of Marijuana, while active strides are being made by Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton, to bring tobacco control legislation before the House, says President David Granger.

The President’s announcement was made on his weekly television show “Public Interest” which was aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) last evening.

Following the arrest and conviction of popular football coach, Vibert Butts, who was sentenced to three years imprisonment for being in possession of marijuana, calls for decriminalization of the drug were renewed.

With the current debate regarding marijuana legislation and sentencing policy in Guyana, I here share how Jamaica has recently updated its legislation and changed its policy with regard to marijuana. Earlier this year Jamaica enacted the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act 2015 that decriminalized the possession of under 2 ounces of marijuana, making it a ticketable offence instead. A brief summary of the legislation shows:

A Linden couple, accused of being found in possession of cannabis at a Mackenzie marketplace stall, was yesterday denied bail by a city court.

The defendants were accused of having 64 grammes of cannabis in their possession for trafficking, on October 7th, at Central Amelia’s Ward.

Pollydore and Alexander, who were represented by Eusi Anderson, both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In Anderson’s petition for bail, he informed the court that Alexander, who shares a nine-year-old child with the co-defendant, is a father of 14, two of whom are minors and depend on him for support. He related as well that although Pollydore has had no prior run-ins with the law, Alexander has had a previous assault conviction.

Jason Miskiri kept his role in a $US12 million drug ring a secret for years.

Lots of people thought they knew Jason Miskiri.

The quiet kid from Guyana who moved to Maryland at age five and whose obsession with basketball led to a starring role at George Mason University and, later, to a brief appearance in the National Basketball Association.

The community pillar who donated to charities, hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the homeless and held a basketball camp each summer for local children.

Jason Miskiri, the quiet kid from Guyana whose obsession with basketball led to a brief appearance in the NBA.