Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
Source: Jamaica Observer (Jamaica)
Copyright: 2001 The Jamaica Observer Ltd,
Contact:  http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1127
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

US ISSUES GANJA WARNING

Decriminalisation Could Cause Certification Problems.

A day after the National Ganja Commission revealed that it has 
recommended the decriminalisation of ganja in limited circumstances, 
the American Embassy hinted that Jamaica could face certification 
problems when the USA does its next annual narcotics review.

"The US government will consider Jamaica's adherence to its 
commitments under the 1988 UN Drug Convention when making its 
determination under the annual narcotics certification review," US 
Embassy spokesman Michael Koplovsky said in a curt statement 
yesterday.

The commission, chaired by Professor Barry Chevannes, dean of the 
Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, 
announced Wednesday, after months of public and private hearings 
across Jamaica, that it had recommended the decriminalisation of 
ganja for personal, private use by adults and for use as a sacrament 
for religious purposes.

It also suggested that the administration should begin an intensive 
educational programme to reduce demand for the weed, particularly 
among young people; that the security forces increase their efforts 
of interdiction of large-scale cultivation of ganja and trafficking 
of all illegal drugs; and that the country, as a matter of urgency, 
should seek diplomatic support for its position and to influence the 
international community to re-examine the status of cannabis.

The commission was established last year September by Prime Minister 
P J Patterson who asked it to examine the historical use of the ganja 
plant in Jamaica, by consulting with, and receiving submissions from 
relevant interest groups.

The body was also required to indicate what changes, if any, are 
required to existing laws governing the use of ganja, or to recommend 
new legislation, taking into account social, cultural, economic and 
international considerations.

But, the US government, through its mission here, had made it clear 
that it was opposed to decriminalisation of the drug.

Jamaica is a signatory to the 1988 United Nations Convention against 
the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The treaty prohibits the manufacture, trade in, import, export, 
engagement in transit traffic, sale, handing over, market, purchase 
or acquisition of narcotic substances, among them ganja.

Last night, one political analyst speculated that the terse nature of 
the US Embassy statement could influence the national debate 
Patterson expects on the issue, as any decertification from the 
Americans could affect aid programmes.

In July this year, the United Kingdom police started a pilot project 
in south London in which persons caught with small amounts of ganja 
are let off with an on-the-spot warning and the drug confiscated.

The project, which is to end in December this year, is aimed at 
giving the limited number of police in Lambeth borough more time to 
tackle hard drugs and crimes associated with crack and cocaine.
- ---
MAP posted-by: