Decriminalize & legalize cannabis in st. Vincent & the Grenadines
- SVG Cannabis Revival Committee
- Closed on
- Target:
- PRIME MINISTER OF SVG. THE HONORABLE, DR. RALPH E. GONSALVES
- Region:
- Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
- Website:
- www.facebook.com
Thanks to all who have signed this petition thus far.
There are Key points in need of consideration and revision.
This petition is now closed.
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
On Saturday 31st January 2015 twenty plus individuals met at the UWI Centre for Continuing Studies where they formed the movement called the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cannabis Revival Committee.
The SVG CRC was formed following consultations in two rural communities as well as in Kingstown. The movement is grounded on 3 primary platforms:
1) Decriminalization & Legalisation
The possession of Cannabis - no matter how small the quantity - is a criminal offence in SVG. The widespread use of the herb here, then, has resulted in many of our people, particularly the young, being REFORMED as criminals.
The illegalization of the herb retards the development and progress of our youth and by extension the very future of our Country.
The SVG CRC is therefore calling for the decriminalization & ultimate legalization of Cannabis here.
2) Alternative Livelihood
The illegal cultivation and subsequent distribution of Cannabis is the largest contributor to our local informal economy. Many Vincentians are engaged in these kinds of economic activities due to rising unemployment and poverty. In other words, they have little or no other alternative.
This CANNOT be good for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to have its youth criminalized, with no hope for a future. The current mode of operation, inclusive of illegal cultivation practices MUST NOT be the primary economic activity for our young people.
The SVG CRC would therefore employ education and sensitization initiatives to promote the legal, safe and sustainable use of the plant cannabis.
3) Medical Cannabis
Cannabis has many benefits - medically, socially and spiritually. The Health benefits of the herb is currently being discussed by the Heads of Government at the CARICOM level.
We support the call by Vincentian Prime Minister Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves for CARICOM leaders to engage in this discussion and strongly urge this august body to "stop dragging their feet on the matter."
CARICOM leaders must also consult, engage and include all stakeholders in their Cannabis reform initiative. Here in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Prime Minister must - post haste - call for a removal of the legal classification of the Cannabis Herb, as a "Drug", in any current or future statutes.
In light of the most recent moves by several states in the U. S., and Jamaica in the Caribbean to legalize the Herb Cannabis and its various uses: We, the undersigned, call on the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Honorable Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, and all the members of this nations' legislative body to remove and revise all current legislation which classifies the Cannabis Herb as an illegal "Drug", in any current and future statutes.
We call on the Prime Minister & the nation's legislative body to decriminalize and make legal in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, sales and exporting of the herb Cannabis Indica and Sativa in all its varied strains and species, for commercial, industrial, medicinal, personal, recreational and spiritual use.
We therefore make this URGENT call on the Honorable Prime Minister Gonsalves, to draft legislation that will decriminalize, legalize, and ensure that all stakeholders including all current and former cultivators, distributors, consumers who have been victimized by these current anti Cannabis "Drug Laws"; be compensated, pardoned and included and given priority interest in the process of any licensing, financing, researching, and overall management of any and all legal Cannabis trade in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
The Decriminalize & legalize cannabis in st. Vincent & the Grenadines petition to PRIME MINISTER OF SVG. THE HONORABLE, DR. RALPH E. GONSALVES was written by SVG Cannabis Revival Committee and is in the category Law Reform at GoPetition.