No to legalising marijuana
While marijuana has been shown to offer some medical benefits, the negative effects to the body and mind, must not be ignored.
President of SIGNIS Caribbean (SIGNIS – World Catholic Association for Communication), Lucille Nathu, therefore believes the legalisation of this drug is not the way to go.
She shared her view with members of the media during the recently held SIGNIS Caribbean 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM), hosted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown at Living Water Community Centre in St. David’s, Christ Church.
“Yes, there are benefits and we have seen the research of medical marijuana, but we also have to weigh – before we could legalise it in any part of the region – the effects that it is having on our youths. The permanent effects that it will have on them and on our society,” she stressed.
“Once we make a rash decision it is difficult to reverse it. Therefore, we have to be very cautious. I personally would say I don’t [think] that is the way we should go.”
Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Barbados, the Most Reverend Dr Charles Jason Gordon, pointed out that marijuana does cause significant challenges for people, even recreational smokers.
“It does change personality; it does create social problems,” he stressed, noting that even in Colorado where it has been legalised, there are having some “fall outs,” in terms of social challenges.
“Should someone have a criminal record if they smoked marijuana? I think that is what needs to be reviewed…Should it be legalised? No, I don’t think that is the way we should go. I think there is a conversation to had so that we find a way forward for our society.”
Bishop Gordon revealed that the Diocese of Bridgetown recently held a discussion on the legalisation of marijuana. He said the panel made up clinicians, including the Head of Verdun House, “drilled down to what the real issues are with the drugs and drug culture.”
“We taped that discussion and will post it on our Youtube channel soon, opening it up as a preparation for having a real conversation about legalising, decriminalising or leaving marijuana the way it is,” he said. (TL)