Government has a responsibility to protect its citizens

May 23, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It seems as though the Government of today is bent on destroying the small man with this wicked Ganja Law that has left us with numerous broken homes, young men and women who cannot get a job because of a marijuana conviction, fathers dying in prison – some shortly after they leave those torture chambers.
Why would anyone delight in sending a young farmer to jail for 3 years for 8 grams of marijuana? Where is the logic? Why such glaring injustice? Why such blatant discrimination? Why must this nation continue to tolerate this travesty against our young people, while Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has articulated his condemnation of former Colonial Governments and those post-colonial Governments that continue to terrorize the populace and behave as though they don’t care about our mothers and children, while our fathers are sent to prison for a joint?
They must be aware that every action has a reaction and it seems as though those stiff-necked people are going to take us down a slippery slope, back into the dungeon from which we came three years ago. This law has helped to further criminalize the State, because there is no advanced rehabilitation for the young people sent to prison, many eventually leave as hardened criminals.
The AFC is calling for decriminalization of small amounts of weed for Sacramental, medicinal and recreational use. Why is APNU objecting now, when they were promising decriminalization on the Campaign trail?
For three years since the Coalition took office, our youth have been going in large numbers to prison for marijuana, while in the developed world where emancipated minds dwell, the former slave master is selling it over the counter to his people, collecting taxes, while joining to put systems in place to see our people in prison for use of 8 grams. What a shame and disgrace!
If this Government cannot act now then I don’t know what will happen to us as a people with this draconian law that encourages racial discrimination and victimization.
The relevant authorities seem to be comfortable, while young people are suffering under the present system of injustice. Poor families are struggling to find those large fees to pay lawyers for defence. Is the Ganja Law being used to fleece poor families?
I call on H.E. President David Arthur Granger to come in defence of our youth and allow Guyana to advance in might and right.
Yours Respectfully
RAS Aaron Blackman

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News