Recently, an initiative of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) unwittingly generated considerable interest in the age old marijuana decriminalisation debate which THE NATION asked CADRES to explore in 2003 (see chart).
Certainly, much time has passed since that survey was published and there is perhaps a need for a new study, but the findings might help to reignite the debate which is an important one for us to have in Barbados.
In that instance, a public opinion poll asked Barbadians for their views on the decriminalisation of marijuana and specific correlations are presented in the appended chart.
The response categories were designed to capture those who supported full decriminalisation, partial decriminalisation and the status quo.
At that time, more than two-thirds of the population did not support any form of decriminalisation and this was the most significant finding. The second largest number of people (17 per cent) supported partial decriminalisation, while only nine per cent supported full legalisation.
This high level of opposition to decriminalisation is relatively consistent across all age, gender and income groups and in all employment categories.
There were some interesting relationships that emerged from that data and the most significant is the fact that younger people had the highest level of support for decriminalisation.
Among older people, a gradual reversal is evident to the point where almost 75 per cent were opposed. This implies that support for decriminalisation is related to age and while the support levels might have changed, it is highly likely that younger people are still more inclined to support decriminalisation than older people.
Notwithstanding these correlations, there is no age group that can be said to be supportive of either full or partial decriminalisation. Although the contrast was not as sharp, there were also some differences between the male and female perspectives on the ganja issue. Women were generally more opposed, while men were more supportive.
In 2003, the issue of ganja decriminalisation was very fashionable largely because the Jamaican government of the day commissioned the Chavannes report.
It recommended limited decriminalisation and used as one of its bases, the finding that “an overwhelming majority of [persons consulted by the commission] share the view that ganja should be decriminalised for personal and private use”. If one presumes that the Chavannes Commission reflected the general opinion of the Jamaican population, it would imply that Barbadians and Jamaicans were dissimilar in their views on limited decriminalisation at that time.
Almost a decade has passed since that recommendation was made in Jamaica. The government there has changed twice and yet the recommendations have not yet been implemented.
Based on responses to the NCSA forum, the Rastafarian community would presumably welcome the opportunity to put their case for decriminalisation to the Government here, but it is unlikely that the Stuart administration will prioritise an issue as potentially divisive with an election due in mere months.
There is therefore a virtual stalemate regarding both discussion and action on the issue which is most unfortunate since for some members of our community it represents a fundamental issue of religious freedom.
Another interesting twist to this issue emerged in 2005 when a controversial magistrate in St Vincent, who has consistently argued for the decriminalisation of marijuana, stated: “Our people have to make a living and with the banana revenue slipping, an alternative must be found.”
Some might still argue that his approach is worthy of consideration, especially since the case of ganja farming as an alternative to dwindling agricultural markets regionally has not been seriously discussed in the Caribbean.
The absence of such discussion is undoubtedly related to the fact that as an illegal drug, it cannot be considered a viable agricultural product. However, there is also a profound level of conservatism on our part as it relates to any discussions on this issue.
Perhaps the time has come that we should commence a national conversation on this issue which results in an informed national position that is followed by legislative action in one direction or the other.
• Peter W. Wickham (peter.wickham@caribsurf.com) is a political consultant and a director of Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES).