In Dominica, PM Skerrit wants review of marijuana laws

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the time has come to review Dominica’s marijuana laws. A regional committee could soon be established to dialogue with experts on the matter which is being given attention by CARICOM.

The Prime Minister told a press conference on July 7, 2014 that the marijuana issue needs to be discussed on a wider scale, in light of calls for the decriminalization of the herb here.

“We believe the time has come for us to look at the laws relating to marijuana, for example someone with a very small quantity of marijuana, we will send him to prison, and the question is, if a man has five grams of marijuana should this person be sent to prison for that small amount and that person would have a criminal record for the rest of his life,” Mr Skerrit said.

The Prime Minister said Dominica’s conviction laws for the possession of marijuana need to be reviewed as too many young people are being convicted for small amounts of marijuana which could have a negative impact on their future.

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