Why is this rush to legalise marijuana

May 30, 2018 Letters

---

Dear Editor,

A small number of developed countries have decriminalized marijuana but Guyana being a developing nation is not in a position to do the same. Guyana just does not have the foundation to follow these countries. Guyana is way too poor to handle issues that will become commonplace if this substance is decriminalized.
In spite of this, the Alliance for Change (AFC) has erroneously claimed that relaxing the law on marijuana will slash the prison population. This just doesn’t make any sense. And it does not require a rocket scientist to understand that decriminalizing marijuana amid soaring poverty will be disastrous, particularly when considering that the undesired behavioral consequences of this substance will be ignored in the face of lack of resources, lack of education, lack of manpower and massive corruption plaguing Guyana.
Decriminalization will cause the prison population to climb drastically. It will destroy lives which will plunge this country into deeper misery. And problems associated with marijuana will go unaddressed like our problems with alcohol.
In this country, a blind eye is largely turned to our problems. To this end, a further understanding of this substance is needed to bring to light its evil effects and hopefully, this will convince the AFC to rethink its position and abandon its push for decriminalization in a show of respect for the people of this country.
Like heroin, alcohol, cocaine, and morphine, marijuana is psychoactive. Like most of these drugs, marijuana is also described as a double-edge sword. Marijuana induces both desired and undesired behaviors when its active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interacts with target receptors widely distributed in the brain.
Through its pharmacologic actions, marijuana lifts the mood and it also produces widespread disruption of brain functions which are behaviorally displayed as impaired motor coordination, impaired vision, and impaired judgment. Such impairments lead to a slew of problems including road accidents.
To some extent, the undesired effects of marijuana are obviously similar to those of alcohol and are reminiscent of road accidents triggered by alcohol use. Just last year in Washington State in the U.S.A., an 18-year-old died in a road accident and the person responsible had been under the influence of marijuana.
The police accidentally came to know this information because of a confession. To date, there is no DUI test available for marijuana. Even during this past week, a supplier of marijuana allegedly forced himself onto a teenager in East Canje, Berbice.
These stories attest to the fact that serious problems are associated with marijuana and they are guaranteed to increase if this drug is decriminalized.
Marijuana also induces an array of psychological disorders including hallucination, paranoia, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. The AFC must also understand that marijuana even in milligram quantities or less will cause serious problems. Marijuana users will be free to engage in poly-drug use which can be deadly and destructive.
At this time, Guyana is incapable of handling 100% of problems associated with marijuana. And although Guyana’s oldest sociologist is stationed at the child care agency, there is a failure to connect how marijuana can rewire the developing brain and thus negatively influence behaviours and hurt the welfare of a minor.
Under these circumstances, it would be reckless for the AFC to press ahead with its efforts to decriminalize this drug when our country is in no way ready for this.
Education on this substance is necessary to overcome inherent problems with overdosing, tolerance, relapse, withdrawal and addiction but is lacking. Further profound stress in this country stands to exacerbate these problems.
The AFC must also understand that substance abuse is a very stubborn brain disease to fight, particularly under conditions of poverty. The AFC cannot ignore these problems and blindly press ahead with decriminalization. This is reckless.
Last but not least, a lax law on marijuana will encourage the reckless use of this substance like alcohol. It will also increase robberies because the craving for this substance is powerful and users will want to reach for this substance in spite that they do not have the funds. Decriminalization will be disastrous.
Given this narrative, I am baffled why the marijuana issue is a top priority for the AFC. Guyana has more pressing issues that need to be addressed and they include suicide, unemployment, corruption, poor health care and crime among a long list of others. Why is marijuana given priority?
Where is the logic? This is senseless. If the AFC is seriously interested in reducing the prison population, then it must invest in education. Education is the only effective and reliable way to realize a real reduction in the prison population. And I sincerely hope that the courts will continue to punish those who are in possession of this drug so as to protect lives.
Sincerely,
Annie Baliram

---

---