Jamaican Senator introduces resolution to establish national commission to study Ganja Use and Laws in Jamaica

NORML - Jamaica
March 5, 1999

Kingston, Jamaica. Senator Professor Trevor Monroe, today, tabled in the Parliament of Jamaica, a resolution as follows:

RESOLUTION - SENATE MARCH 5, 1999

Whereas there is an urgent need to make the national drug control programme more effective and in keeping with the public interest; and,

Whereas the current treatment of ganja by the Jamaican authorities detracts from this goal by insufficiently taking into account:

a) the need for equity in the criminal justice system;

b) the requirements for dealing with ganja consumption as primarily a public health problem;

c) the specifics of Jamaican culture;

d) changing global perspectives on marijuana and related plants

Be it resolved that this Senate calls on the government, in consultation with civil society, to establish, as a matter of urgency, a broadly based national commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the ganja situation in Jamaica and, further, that this national commission be mandated to complete its report and recommendations within six months, paying due regard to:

a) the necessity to observe Jamaica's international obligations;

b) the utility of Marijuana for medicinal purposes;

c) the desirability of decriminalizing ganja for private, personal use;

d) the necessity to upgrade public education, public health, and demand reduction measures in respect of ganja and other substances which may be harmful if abused.

moved by Senator Professor Trevor Munroe.

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