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AFC pushes for no jail on small ganja possession cases
Amid intense pressure to introduce more liberal laws to address marijuana, the Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday says it is not objecting to the removal of custodial sentences for possession of small quantities of marijuana.
“The Alliance For Change expresses its outrage and deep concern following the sentencing, to three years’ incarceration, of 27-year-old father and poultry farmer, Carl Mangal, for the possession of eight grams of marijuana.”
The AFC, the smaller faction of the ruling Coalition Government, made it clear that it is not questioning the decision of the magistrate in any way.
Jailed: Carl Mangal
“The AFC recognizes that the magistrates, as is the case with all her colleagues, are constrained by the law with regard to the issue of custodial sentencing for possession of small quantities of marijuana. The party renews its call to all legislators to move with alacrity in upgrading the laws of Guyana to ensure that custodial sentences for small quantities of marijuana are removed from the books in their entirety.”
AFC said that custodial sentences serve, in large measure, to criminalize young people, particularly young men who have been caught with small quantities of marijuana – an offence which is a mere error in judgment and not representative of criminal behaviour.
AFC said its Member of Parliament, Michael Carrington, since 2015, brought a Bill to the National Assembly for debate but it has since been languishing on the Order Paper, being deferred time and time again.
“The time to act is now. We must no longer sit idly by and allow our young men and women to be sentenced to several years of jail time alongside hardened criminals, murderers and rapists. We will not be found complicit in destroying the lives of our young people and wounding our society rather than acting to heal it.”
The AFC also announces that it will commence plans to host, in the near future, a national symposium on the issue at which all stakeholders and sectors of society will be invited to deliberate and exchange views.”
On Monday, a city magistrate’s court erupted after a poultry farmer was jailed for three years for eight grams of ganja.
Mangal appeared on Monday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman accused of having 8.4 grams of marijuana in his possession.
Mangal, 27, of Lot 2 Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown, admitted to the charge, which alleged that on May 18 at Princes Street, he had the ganja in his possession.
The mother of the accused who was crying inconsolably stated “Your honour I’m pleading with you, don’t let my son go to jail. That’s my only son; is my sister called the police to lock him up because the two of them had a disagreement.”
In the courtroom, the Magistrate told them to be calm before explaining to them that the Laws of Guyana stipulate that any person found in possession of over five grams is liable to face a fine, together with the minimum of three years or the maximum five years imprisonment.
“I gave him the least sentence which is three years. He could have been sentenced to between three and five years. If you feel bad about this, the most you can do at this point of time is appeal the sentence, that’s the option that is open to you. I can’t do anything.”
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