Dominica launches a national consultation on the decriminalization of cannabis

Published

8 years ago

November 16, 2018 - Updated on October 12, 2022

A national consultation announced by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit will be held today in Dominica. Independent for 40 years now, the Republic of Dominica remains associated with the United Kingdom in the Commonwealth. The aim of the consultation is to gauge public opinion on the possible decriminalization of recreational cannabis and the regulation of medical cannabis in the state. This procedure is in no way binding on the government, but it represents an important first step in opening up the public debate.

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A word from the Prime Minister

The head of government announced the date of the consultation, stating, «The decriminalization of certain amounts of marijuana and its use for medical purposes is an issue we must face now that we have reached forty years of existence (...) Therefore, the first consultation on the decriminalization of cannabis and its use for medical purposes will be held on November 16, 2018.» The proceedings are being overseen by Dr. Donald Peters, president of Dominica State College.

The Prime Minister announced that the issue of medical cannabis would be examined «openly and transparently» over the coming months. He seems to see legalization as a public health and safety issue, but doesn't believe it has the potential to transform the country's economy. «It's not going to change our economic well-being my friends. So let's not count on it too much, we do think on the other hand that certain quantities of cannabis need to be decriminalized so that people can have access to it.» He also expressed concern about youth consumption and the joint need «not to unduly expose young minds to this substance».

An opposition consensus

The Prime Minister's Labour Party has a majority in Parliament, but the initiative also has the support of the opposition. The United Workers Party (UWP), the main opposition party, goes even further, underlining the urgency of legalization on economic grounds. Party leader Lennox Linton cites «a multi-billion dollar medicinal and wellness industry». «We must therefore act quickly and decisively to claim an attractive share of this growing market before it's too late,» he declared. In his view, legalization would create jobs, generate tax revenues and improve people's health.

The Caribbean makes progress

The Caribbean regional association CARICOM, which brings together the states of the region and to which Dominica belongs, had already created the a Commission on Cannabis and launched nationwide consultation procedures. The Commission issued its report earlier this year, recommending that cannabis should no longer be classified as a dangerous, prohibited drug with no medical value, but as a controlled substance in a regulated market. «The Commission believes that CARICOM's objective should be to dismantle prohibition entirely and replace it with a regulated framework similar to that in place for alcohol and tobacco, which are non-criminalized harmful substances,» reads the report.

The Commission proposes to redefine the problems of addiction and consumption from a public health perspective, a position increasingly advocated around the world: «the Commission is unanimous in the belief that a policy of cannabis legalization should be guided by considerations of public health, human rights and social justice, and not by punitive approaches».

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At the same time, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a small Caribbean country, is being about to legalize medical cannabis. Parliament's work on the issue is nearing completion, and legalization is expected very soon. The country aims to become a high-quality medical cannabis hub for the Caribbean and the world.