Innovation and resilience in times of crisis - Civil society advocacy for drug policy reform under the COVID-19 pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for communities worldwide and caused dramatic changes in public life. While disrupting governance and policymaking processes, the pandemic has also further reduced civic space for civil society and communities to exercise their democratic rights and conduct advocacy – often exacerbated by the increasingly repressive behaviour of governments in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite significant challenges, COVID-19 restrictions and their impacts on policymaking processes have not deterred civil society actors from continuing their advocacy work in drug policy and related sectors, albeit with notable adjustments. However, a range of issues in relation to accessibility remain unresolved, along with concerns around the limitations of human interactions through virtual platforms.

‘Innovation and resilience in times of crisis’ provides an overview of the dynamics of civil society advocacy under the COVID-19 pandemic, informed by over 30 interviews with representatives from civil society and community organisations, intergovernmental institutions, governments and donors.

On the occasion of the anniversary of WHO’s declaration of the pandemic, join us for a discussion on its impact on civil society advocacy, experiences of adaptation, recommendations and ways forward.

Dania Putri, Consultant and report’s author

Mat Southwell, European Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD)

Vicki Hanson, Interdisciplinary Centre for Cannabis Research (ICCR)

Nazlee Maghsoudi, New York NGO Committee & Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (CDPE)

Marie Nougier, International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

Innovation and resilience in times of crisis - Publication launch

By Vicki J. Hanson, Pien Metaal and Dania Putri

Following its first-ever critical review of cannabis, in January 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a collection of formal recommendations to reschedule cannabis and cannabis-related substances. 53 member states of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), two of which are Caribbean states, are set to vote on these recommendations in December 2020.

Among the WHO’s recommendations, two in particular appear to be the most urgent and relevant for Caribbean countries: namely recommendation 5.1 (concerning the acknowledgment of cannabis’ medicinal usefulness) and recommendation 5.4 (concerning the need to remove the term ‘extracts and tinctures of cannabis’ from the 1961 Convention). Supporting these two recommendations presents an opportunity for Caribbean governments and civil society to decolonise drug control approaches in the region, as well as to strengthen the international legal basis for emerging medicinal cannabis programmes in several Caribbean countries. Also, it provides the historical opportunity to gain global recognition for two deeply rooted and unique traditions: the use of cannabis as sacrament in religious Rastafarian practise, and its use as traditional medicine, particularly but not exclusively by the Maroon community.

In this regard, the recommended principle ‘asks’ for Caribbean advocates and policy makers are to:

Support the most urgent recommendations 5.1 and 5.4.

Actively engage with CND members, in particular Jamaica, the only English-speaking Caribbean member of CND, emphasising the urgent nature of recommendations 5.1 and 5.4.

Actively engage in relevant meetings and processes at the CND level, as well as emphasising the need for further follow-ups to the critical review.

Actively engage and encourage support from other Caribbean governments and other key stakeholders such as CARICOM and OECS, as well relevant civil society organisations, experts, and affected communities.

WHO cannabis rescheduling and its relevance for the Caribbean

By Axel Klein & Vicki J. Hanson / Interdisciplinary Centre for Cannabis Research

In 2015 Jamaica decriminalised the possession of two ounces of cannabis and the cultivation of five plants per household for personaluse, and allowed licensed cultivation and trade for medical and religious uses ...

The Dangerous Drug Act Amendment (DDAA) has dramatically changed some aspects of law enforcement and eased the tensions between the community and the police. Cannabis p>mers, particularly young men, are no longer subject to police harassment.

A number of cannabis dispensaries and herb houses have built up thriving businesses, but small farmers are struggling to reap economic benefits from the new opportunities in this emerging industry. The growth of integrated seed to sale businesses will preclude the opportunities for small farmers and processors and should be reviewed.

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has increased the speed at which licenses are being awarded,improved communications with applicants and willingly waives or defers fees for small farmers. But the agency by itself cannot overcome structural problems impeding small farmers such as landlessness, lack of capital and the requirements of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). The alternative development programme has stalled and needs to be better designed for purpose, funded and supported if obstacles faced by poor farmers are to be overcome.

Ganja licensing in Jamaica: Learning lessons and setting standards

6th Latin American and 1st Caribbean Conference on Drug Policy

, held in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, I started a discussion onthe cannabis situation in Jamaica with a statement that “A lot has happened and a lot has not happened”, and this is the very same way I wish to start the engagement in this blog. Jamaica has in the last two (2) years has been thrust into the midst of the international discourse on drug policy reform, with specific emphasis on Cannabis reform.

This is because of the country’s current efforts to reform the 100 years old, prohibitionist approach to how we govern cannabis, in a state that is viewed as one of the world’s leading producers of the plant, and the cultural importance that this plant plays in the Jamaican society.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

A lot has happened and a lot has not happened

Vicki Hanson is a member of the Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT), and a Committee Member of Ganja (Future) Growers & Producers Association. Vicki is the Secretary of the St. Catherine Ganja Growers and Producers Association. Vicki Hanson is also a PhD Candidate in Public Policy at the Department of Government, University of the West Indies (Mona). Her research work is aimed at exploring the public policy issues to be resolved in establishing a legally regulated cannabis (ganja) industry in the Caribbean, using Jamaica as the case study.

Vicki Hanson es miembro del Grupo de Trabajo de Investigación Comercial y Medicinal del Cannabis (CCMRT), y miembro del Comité de la Asociación de Cultivadores y Productores de Ganja (Futura). Vicki es la secretaria de la Asociación de Cultivadores y Productores de Ganja de Santa Catalina. Vicki Hanson es también candidata al doctorado en políticas públicas en el Departamento de Gobierno de la Universidad de las Indias Occidentales (Mona). Su trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo explorar las cuestiones de política pública que deben resolverse en el establecimiento de una industria de cannabis (ganja) legalmente regulada en el Caribe, utilizando Jamaica como estudio de caso.

Vicki Hanson est membre du Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT), et membre du comité de la Ganja (Future) Growers & Producers Association. Vicki est secrétaire de la St. Catherine Ganja Growers and Producers Association. Vicki Hanson est également candidate au doctorat en politique publique au département du gouvernement de l'Université des Antilles (Mona). Son travail de recherche vise à explorer les questions de politique publique à résoudre pour établir une industrie du cannabis (ganja) légalement réglementée dans les Caraïbes, en utilisant la Jamaïque comme étude de cas.

Vicki Hanson

IDPC Board member - Chair

Translations

Related Content

Innovation and resilience in times of crisis - Publication launch

WHO cannabis rescheduling and its relevance for the Caribbean

Ganja licensing in Jamaica: Learning lessons and setting standards

A lot has happened and a lot has not happened