EDITORIAL: Recreational marijuana: Much to consider

Reports are that the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) desires “a carefully crafted approach” to this whole notion of the recreational use of marijuana, as a driver of economic growth.

In a recently issued statement, the NCSA called for greater emphasis on the social costs associated with the recreational use of cannabis, particularly among minors and adolescents. The NCSA meanwhile noted its support of the request from Head of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Anthony Brancker, in his call for serious discussion on establishing a recreational marijuana sector, in search of these economic drivers.

In a Government Information Service report, it was noted that the NCSA is aware of some notable achievements on the therapeutic value of marijuana to health, including the United Nations (UN) recent reclassification of marijuana in a schedule of less harmful drugs. However, despite these achievements, the Council pointed out that a significant body of literature shows that the persistent smoking of marijuana leads to adverse health consequences and can trigger the onset of mental disorders in vulnerable individuals, depending on the dose, frequency, and earliness of use. Evidence also exists that some individuals may develop dependence. Also, recognising that marijuana is less harmful than other dangerous drugs, indicates that the recreational use of marijuana would increase its availability and normalise its use, leading to adverse health consequences, particularly among young people, the NCSA indicated.

Just this week, Minister of Home Affairs, Information, and Public Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, pointed out that Barbados is still very much engaged in the battle of drug use and abuse, amongst young males under the age of 40. He pointed out that young males continue to use marijuana at any early age and research has shown that chronic use can lead to a range of psychological and social problems. Further he said, research has shown that persons who use marijuana at an early age, suffer potential harmful effects on the developing brain, reducing their ability to learn and become productive. He said all this in the context of the release of the findings of the 2019 Barbados Drug Information Network (BARDIN) Report by the NCSA.

Now granted that many have given the nod to government’s desire to legalise marijuana for medicinal purpose, it must be noted that marijuana likely prescribed by any doctor for medicinal purposes, is not the same as marijuana used for recreational purposes and should only be used, just as the doctor has prescribed. We can see though, how some persons may be led to believe that its use is not harmful and how it can be used and abused by more of our young people in a recreational setting. We certainly cannot ignore the cries and the calls from various key agencies for more dialogue and indeed for a carefully crafted approach to this whole idea of the recreational use of the drug, especially since some of these agencies are already dealing with the fallout of productive members from society, on account of drug use and abuse. So indeed, there is much to consider.