HAMILTON – Opposition Leader Marc Bean “absolutely” stands by his backing of cannabis tea as a medicine, including using it to treat his own daughter’s asthma.
?Asked about the risk of administering psychoactive substances to children, Bean told The Royal Gazette that the drug didn’t carry that risk when consumed in tea.
“THC is not dissolvable in water,” he said. “Its consumption in terms of smoking the psychoactive component – that’s to be used by a mature mind.”
He added: “Young people should not be consuming marijuana in that fashion – of course not.”
His daughter, Shaehlay Saltus, said she stood by her father’s decision.
The Progressive Labour Party head, who spoke during last week’s session of the House of Assembly as MPs debated the findings of the Cannabis Reform Collective, said he made no bones about his own personal experience with the drug.
“I was a Rastaman, full-fledged – I lit the chalice,” Bean said.
He had no comment on whether he continues to use cannabis, but said of his detractors: “They don’t know. I’m not saying it disrespectfully; they just don’t know. I’m coming from living experience.”
Although he spoke broadly on the issue of cannabis during the House debate, Bean’s comments drew particular flak when it came to his daughter. (Royal Gazette)
