Pubdate: Sat, 01 Sep 2012
Source: Daily Observer, The (Antigua)
Copyright: 2012 Observer Publications
Contact: http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?page_id=41738
Website: http://www.antiguaobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5270
Author: Martina Johnson

FORMER PRISON BOSS HESITANT TO JOIN 'DECRIMINALISE' BANDWAGON

St. John's, Antigua -- Many have come out in support of 
decriminalising marijuana use in Antigua & Barbuda, but former prison 
boss Eric Henry said he is yet to be convinced to join the band wagon.

Admitting he lacks the medical expertise to guide his views, he said 
experience during his years in law enforcement and exposure to many 
who have been affected by their repeated use of the drug convinces 
him it should remain a criminal offence here.

"People say there are so many smoking cigarettes that gives you 
cancer and drinking rum that gives sclerosis of the liver but 
marijuana has medicinal purposes for glaucoma and asthma," Henry 
said. "People can say what they like. People take things and turn 
them to suit their thing. But I am a graduate of the Police Academy 
in Washington DC in Narco (narcotics) and from the training, let me 
tell you there are many ups and downs to it and I wouldn't support it."

He said regardless of the many research findings of academic experts 
who have called for the decriminalisation of the class B drug, he 
knows of many others who have argued and shown evidence to prove why 
it should not be used.

The former two-time prison superintendent said he would rather be on 
the wrong side, saying it is a crime.

"Once you start accepting two grammes, you are going to allow a pound 
and then a tonne and then the destruction that's likely to surface, 
you won't see it now, but I understand it takes eight to 10 years to 
get to the stage where they go down to the garbage bin in town to 
eat," Henry said.

"I would rather err and leave it as it is than to go through a trial 
system and at the end of the trial there are more people on the 
streets," he added.

Just Thursday, well known physician, Sir Prince Ramsey said he would 
prescribe medical marijuana to patients if legislators were to 
decriminalise its possession and use.

Sir Prince said it is the misuse and not properly supervised use of 
the drug that causes problems in people.
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