| Over the years, tough laws on illegal drugs and ganja have seen thousands jailed for possession.MP Michael CarringtonRecent studies have indicated that a large percentage of the inmates are there because of mandatory jail sentences for possession.With jails overflowing, a critical Commission of Inquiry report and observers have concluded that ways have to be found to reduce the prison population in the country, which has over time led to a simmering situation. Earlier this year, 17 protesting prisoners died after setting a cell alight at the Camp Street jail.One Parliamentarian, in the Government benches, Michael Carrington, is moving to help bring Guyana’s laws in line with what applies in a number of countries in the rest of the world.However, it remains to be seen if the bill will get the necessary support.Last year, Carrington, of the Alliance For Change (AFC) faction,Nike Air Max 95 For Sale, tabled amendments to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act.Carrington’s party has already indicated its support.The parliamentarian wants the matter to be debated and passed but with the current budget engaging the attention of the National Assembly, it may not happen before next year.He explained that his bill,Cheap Air Max Tn Shoes, Number 17 of 2015, intends to remove the sentencing for three to five years in prison for a joint of cannabis or small quantity for personal use.“This has nothing to do with legalizing cannabis,” the Member of Parliament (MP) insists.He explained that it is a fact that thousands in Guyana were sentenced to jail, for three years or more because of smoking a joint, or having small quantities of cannabis for personal use.An AFC parliamentarian is pushing for law changes to reduce automatic jail sentences for small quantities of marijuana.“Smoking a joint,Air Max 97 Silver Womens, or using cannabis for medicine or food, is considered illegal, which can only be seen as a crime against one self, because it only can affect the persons who use it.”It was the intention of the original laws to stop persons from smoking, “…to send a subliminal message to prevent them and others from smoking”, he said.In the bigger picture, Carrington noted that jailing of persons for smoking marijuana was part of a conspiracy of the industrial tycoons and politicians to demonize and criminalize marijuana or cannabis.Carrington said that his research of the effects of cannabis on mankind, found it is minimal, compared with its benefits.“Jailing a person for smoking cannabis, and not for drinking rum which has the same effect or worst, left me to ask the question why not a fine instead? Is it because the state is receiving big money from rum in taxes and not from cannabis? Could the state not put systems in place to benefit from the world greatest plant? The answer is yes,Nike Free Run Shoes On Sale, but no.”The MP noted that Cannabis and Cannabis Sativa L, known as industrial hemp,Cheap NFL Shop, can produce almost everything. It is the belief that the criminalization happened because a few companies wanted to prevent their lost of economic power.Times have changed now with the US and other places even encouraging the legal, controlled growth of marijuana for medicinal, recreational and research purposes.“Many countries now are legalizing cannabis to capitalize on the benefits for its people – the benefits are not smoking. It is for the manufacturing of thousands of products.”Carrington stressed that he tabled the bill to remove the sentencing for small quantity of cannabis. He said that there is no evidence to support theories that criminals are committing their acts because of a ‘spliff’ (joint).“I don’t smoke anything because I had learned that the mouth is for eating and communication. But that does not mean because I don’t smoke, I should sit and allow our young people to go to jail for a smoke.”Carrington disclosed that the bill was prepared with significant input from attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes.Hinting that he envisages encountering objections, Carrington said that he has encountered a wall, “with old political culture written all over it – the old culture which prevents MPs from working in the interest of the people.”With regards to the law changes he wants to see passed, the MP said that the amendments will remove the jail sentences for the possession of small quantities of narcotics, but leaving the fine in place.While Carrington had wanted to increase the possession of marijuana, which attracts a charge,Wholesale Jerseys China, from 15 grams to 200 grams, after consultations, he is now proposing that possession be raised to 55 grams for possession.Another amendment will prevent persons from being sentenced for one year for smoking or possession of smoking utensil. However, the fines will still remain.“The amendments will reduce the prison population. Reduce the time wasted in courts. It will save the state millions it has to spend to upkeep prisoners who are held for something like a spliff. It will also prevent persons from receiving education in jail for a small quantity of cannabis.”According to Carrington, many homes are broken because of the current harsh laws on the books.”The law changes will help prevent this and reduce lawyers’ fees and see monies being raised for the state via the fines that will be in place.”“But what the courts are doing is sentencing persons to jail which I feel is wrong. I am asking our citizens to support the non-sentencing for small quantity of cannabis for personal use,” the MP urged.Pic filed as marijuanaCaption: An AFC parliamentarian is pushing for law changes to reduce automatic jail sentences for small quantities of marijuana.Pic filed as Michael CarringtonCaption: |
