Interesting angle in support of change in marijuana legislation

Dec 11, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
“It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money- for many-nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in his name”. Pope Francis. Source K.N (27.09.15). Editor, it was St. Paul, who was quoted as saying “Every man to his own order”! Therefore, if “Durdy” Butts, chooses to live his life as a Rasta, and consumes/utilizes “ganja” as his scared sacrament within the confines of his home and not publicly, indeed I consider this respectful to the Laws. Then this is true, in the words of St. Paul.  Nevertheless, the ideals of four (4) consecutive Presidents (all deceased) of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will be reviewed.
Firstly, Forbes Burnham, more moderate with his sentencing – the longest six (6) months for large-scale cultivation. Community service comprising of cleaning the Court and Police Station yards, along with a $1,500 fine was the order of the day, for small amounts. Price commodity $1,000 a pound. Most importantly there were no junkies/drug addicts, since the “lapdog of the devil, cocaine” was a virtual non-seller. Secondly, Desmond Hoyte, the worst of the Presidents- three (3) years in jail, even if it is a Ganja seed. Substantial increase in fines; eradication of the fields, and from here onward the sale of cocaine increased and so too was the junkie population. Since the sentencing for both commodities was the same, the latter became more profitable! Thirdly, Cheddi Jagan, the wisest, whose encouragement to most Indo-Guyanese cash crop, rice and sugar cane farmers. “Plant ganja”, of course this was advocated while he was in Opposition, to the farmers in the remote and far flung river rain areas, it got more money!
In government, Cde. Cheddi while addressing a plenary session of Caricom Heads, in relation to the ongoing dispute with the Latin American Chiquita Brand bananas, mostly the OECS member states said; “Today its bananas, tomorrow it can be bauxite, rice or sugar, but extensive cultivation of marijuana, primarily for export, to the European and North American markets, can boost our collective economies significantly”! (Humorous). However, on a serious note;  there was this  dear and esteemed friend of the late Dr. Jagan, a Prime Minister, in the OECS, who on more than one occasion came to Guyana, to deliver a lecture at the Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial, Lecture series. Today his country is the major supplier of “ganja”to almost the entire OECS. With Janet Jagan, she remained steadfast, towards repealing the three (3) years jail sentencing. Editor, one is left to wonder of the four former Presidents, two being avowed communists, which by extension are atheists, that the latter two (2) did not believe in God, were more humane, along with Burnham, as it relates to a draconian law, of a three (3) years jail sentence. Desmond Hoyte a believer in God committed the worst deed in Guyana, in God’s name! Strange enough, does this fits into the Pope’s equation?
We come now to Jamaica – the “Land of Wood and Water.” Jamaica, through extensive medical research, by a son of the soil, a renowned medical professor will see an interesting development. Come next year the pharmaceutical industry will benefit from the “Patented Magnificent Seven” all ganja based. Nasal sprays, rheumatic rubs et.al. Would the government of Guyana, prohibit the importation, in the absence of extensive research by the IAST? Or, would the services of Dr. Richard Van- West Charles, be sought as a pioneer, who utilized “black sage” in the experimental Herbal Toothpaste, out of GPC, towards local ganja research, for medical purposes?
With “Jail Time being Waste Time” a fallacy in my opinion. Editor, this factor must be taken into serious consideration, since the “promotion of the Popcaan show” was an insult to our intelligence. Whereby the signature tune and popular hit that was given maximum airtime was “Weed is my best Friend” in relation to the promotion of the artist for the concert? Did anyone with the relevant authority, order the non-playing of the song? Emphatically, no! So, one can perceive that duplicity exists at the highest level of decision making in our country. It would be interesting to know, if within the hallowed chambers of Parliament, if there is any member, who smokes, or smoked weed, or in the expanded ministerial portfolios/cabinet of the Coalition government.
How many “ungodly” acts are being committed daily, which our society continues to ignore, in defiance of Biblical condemnation? Speaking of the Bible, “his eyes were flaming red, and the smoke that proceeded from his nostrils, the cloud was for a covering and the flame for a light”!
 Lester Sealey

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