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Conviction of football coach sparks call for revised marijuana laws
– attorneys file an appeal to challenge conviction
The sentencing of football coach, Vibert Butts, to three years’ imprisonment for the possession of marijuana, has sparked an immediate move by two Defence Attorneys for Guyana’s narcotics laws to be reformed.
Vibert Butts
Attorneys Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron yesterday filed an appeal to challenge Butts’ conviction and also applied for him to be granted bail. Butts was found guilty for possession of 46 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday.
Butts, who was unrepresented, initially pleaded not guilty to the charge but later changed his plea and begged for leniency. He was sentenced to a one-year prison term for another offence.
Hughes stated that the prison term for the possession of marijuana was unrealistic and inhumane since the number of persons charged with the offence does not have access to justice because of their socio-economic status.
“Too many good citizens are sitting down in prison for having in their possession marijuana and it not only criminalizes them but it also stigmatizes them,” he said. “Is only poor people that are caught”.
The Act indicates that anyone found in possession of marijuana is liable to a fine of $10,000 or three times the monetary value of the drug and 10 years in jail.
Hughes is insisting that the penalty is too severe and thus is prepared to challenge it along with his colleague and some 30 prisoners who were charged with the same offence. They will challenge stipulations of the denial of bail, the violation of the separation of power and the mandatory minimum serving time.
Hughes said himself along with Waldron were preparing a draft legislation to change the penalties for the conviction of drug. He said they are seeking a Member of Parliament who would be willing to table the Bill in the National Assembly.
Provided everything goes well, the Bill is expected to be tabled at the final sitting of National Assembly this year.
There have been many calls for Guyana to relax its marijuana laws by international bodies.
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