Hmmm... Well, there has been a lot of talk recently about decriminalizing small amounts of the ishenks (marijuana) for personal use. The Commissioner of Police is for decriminalization because he says the cost of arresting and prosecuting a man for possession of ganja far outweighs the outcome... a small fine for the man, before being released. He feels that it is a waste of time, and as such the authorities should either decriminalize it (in small amounts, for personal use) or increase the fines / jail time incurred for those convicted of that offence.
The Attorney General has also said that he is for the decriminalization of the goodly weed, although I haven't heard the reasons he has advanced for doing so.
In a news report this evening, Cliff Hughes (a popular local journalist, who I generally like) spoke of this ongoing discussion and his news team conducted a small poll, in which 14 out of seventeen people canvassed were for the decriminalization of the substance.
Still, who knows whether this talk will lead anywhere? The Government doesn't really care what the people want or think, so it may well never come to pass... What do you all think about it? Sound off in my comments nuh?
Posted by Mad Bull at March 31, 2003 10:08 PM
Comments
Whether they decriminalize or not, those who really want to smoke regularly will simply continue to do so. The way these 'herbalists' smoke, their attitude is, 'a nuh nutten more dan cigarette' nuh true??
BTW, I will have to add ishenks to my vocabulary. Never heard that one before.
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 1, 2003 12:02 AM
I wonder how much they would save, money-wise, for court costs, cost to jail them, police payroll to enforce it, etc...if they save more than they get in fines, etc...for arresting those with only enough for 'personal' use, then I can understand why they want to decriminalize it.
not that that makes it 'right' mind you, but I can understand.
Posted by: Red Eagle on April 1, 2003 07:50 AM
Thats pretty much what the Police Commissioner was saying, T (T is Red Eagle, for those who didn't know). I am interested to know what you think about the rightness or wrongness of this even if the cost issue was to be set aside though, T.
Should people be able to use whatever substance they want to, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else? Or should the state be able to dictate what we can or cannot use? And at what point do we consider that we have negatively affected others through our own use of a substance? What do you think?
Posted by: Mad Bull on April 1, 2003 11:34 AM
I think pot should be as legal as alcohol is... same effect (well, kind of), different substance.
Posted by: Amy on April 1, 2003 05:11 PM
Ahhh Mad, I'll answer some of those questions for ya 
that were directed towards "T" ~ and I have no doubt she'll answer for herself tomrrow a.m. when I talk to her I'll direct her back to this post to respond as well her own views...I'm now speaking of my own........
Should people be able to use whatever substance they want to, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else?
What substance of choice rather it be drugs, alcohol or cig's doesn't affect those around them??? And for the record yes I know alcohol and cig's are considered drugs but legal ones for age specific ranges. Alcoholism, second hand smoke, etc etc etc.......there isn't anything that is considered a "drug" to the world that doesn't affect those around us just like beliefs affect those around us.....no matter how much at times one feels they are alone, in reality they never really are ~
Or should the state be able to dictate what we can or cannot use?
That opens up another can of worms, because if we allow state to dictate what we put in our bodies then why can't we allow the state to determine if we keep a child or not via abortion? Which seems to be a never ending battle amoungst individual / state just as to go to war or not to go to war at the moment is the current debate on the table therefore everything else seems to be "invisible" but no less important!!! Speaking as a parent, I'm thankful those laws are in place to protect, rather the child sees it as protection or not, for what they don't know ~ this is a touchy touchy subject so I'll stop here
And at what point do we consider that we have negatively affected others through our own use of a substance?
*deep breath* my VIEW is this, if you are married or living with a significant other and/or child or both, if what you choose to participate in as a controlled substance is causing them unhappiness then there is negativity affecting them and needs to be address and solved. If "other's" are involved it is no longer about "what you want or enjoy doing" it is about ALL parties involved and ALL parities happiness and safety!!!
Peronally, knowing "T" in real life, I can't wait to hear her responses so I'll be watching closely, she is much more adequate of putting things into words than I am!!! Sorry if I jumped out of line since you were asking her opinion.....
Posted by: Jamie on April 2, 2003 12:23 AM
Legalize it, then tax the shit out of it. Sell it packaged and already rolled in convenience stores.
Posted by: Laura on April 2, 2003 06:57 AM
Personally, yes I've smoked it, not in large quantity, but as allot of young and curious teens do
Do I think it should be legal? well, yes. I don't know all the risks it has (medically speaking, I'll leave that to Dr.D ) but I don't think it's any worse than alcohol as far as affecting your responses, judgment, etc...or smoking regular cigarettes as far as lungs and the like.
I was raised by one, and married an alcoholic, and have known several people who 'smoked' on a VERY regular basis, based on that alone, I have to say, I'd much rather DEAL with someone who's been 'smoking' rather than drinking, any day!!
But "Should people be able to use whatever substance they want to, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else?" well, thats a whole other can of worms, I know people who've been hooked on 'meth' that didn't think they were hurting anyone but themselves...they were wrong (family's, children, strangers that had them arrested for assalt under the influence...you get the picture) where do you draw the line there?
now as far as the goverment goes, no, I don't think they should be allowed to tell us everything we can and cannot do, I'm all for goverment being allot less involved in our everyday lives, but this would start a rant in your comments that doesn't follow the topic posted here...so I will leave it at this 
Posted by: Red Eagle on April 2, 2003 07:06 AM
All I will add is that we still are unable to predict who will and who will not develop Ganja Induced Psychosis. It has screwed the brains of many a youngster. They fill the Detox Unit as well as the psychiatric ward.
Yes, alcohol has negative impacts on the health and well being of the user and others, but it is usually dose related. Ganja Induced Psychosis appears not be. I say appears, as I don't think we know all there is to know about this condition. My whole view is that it is NOT worth the health risks of legalisation, but, as I am only a physician, that's just my fart of an opinion. You can always seek a second one if you like! And yes, it does have positive health effects, Canasol...made from Ganja and pioneered right here in Jamaica by Prof. West, is a recognized treatment for Glaucoma. Just thought I would add that so as not to appear biassed.
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 2, 2003 07:37 AM
>> Ganja Induced Psychosis appears not be.
What do you mean by this, Dr. D? These people hit it once and seem to flip? Or they hit it regularly, but in small doses? Or what?
Posted by: Mad Bull on April 2, 2003 07:53 PM
That is what I am trying to say. It is unpredictable, some get it after a few exposures to herb, others over a period. Some never do. Which category do I fall into? I don't know and I don't wish to find out...hence I will leave the shit alone!
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 2, 2003 10:43 PM
Well, the Doc. called it Ganja induced psychosis. I know of a number of people that smoked a lot of ganja and seemed to be adversely affected by it. What they eventually ended up with was schizophrenia.
1) Does ganja cause schizophrenia?
I dunno.
2) Do some people have some problem in their makeup which pre-disposes them to suffer from schizophrenia, and ganja exacerbates the problem?
I dunno...
What I do know is that there are quite a few people suffering from schizophrenia who also smoke weed, enough so that I think there is some corelation there... I'm leaning towards the second proposition, because there are so many people out there who smoke the herbs who don't seem to contract this illness.
Here is a newspaper story about one of those more unfortunate souls, told from the points of view of the young man's mother and of the police. Click here...
Posted by: Mad Bull on April 6, 2003 07:32 AM
Interesting question you have posed re: Schizophrenia and ganja. Sorry, but I can't answer it. Perhaps I can have a word with on of my Psychiatric colleagues.
The story that you have linked to is unfortunate. Families of individuals with mental disease and drug abuse suffer a hell of a lot. These patients are very difficult to deal with and my respect goes out to those involved in caregiving to these patients.
What I find a bit surprising, is the statement both by the young man's mother and Dr. Irons-Morgan (whom I know) in the article that you linked. As far as I'm aware (and I could be mistaken), the Detox Unit at the hospital where I am employed, offers care to patients with mental disease, as well as drug abuse. I have been asked to see patients from the Detox Unit with both problems as well as skin disease on a fairly frequent basis (most commomly young men). I usually ask the referring doctor about the mental stability of the patient. If they are out of control, then I prefer to see them in the Unit rather than asking them to come to our clinic.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the attitude of the public in general to these patients. Now, this mother seems exceptional. But, as I have said before, mental disease carries with it a stigma. People do not like to have to admit that they have family with a mental disorder. Are the Police adequately trained to handle people with this sort of problem? I cannot answer that question properly, and I don't want to make a hasty generalisation. It is a bit unfortunate that this young man has not been able to see a Psychiatrist though. Perhaps that speaks to the fact that the amount of healthcare workers provided by the government in proportion to the number of patients, is inadequate. Please do not think that this is a situation that is unique to our country. I know doctors working overseas and the situation is not very different. (If I want to work in Psychiatry, I can get a job in the U.K. without a problem.)
I hope that this woman can find some help for her son as if he does not get help, he will simply become one of the many young lives lost to drug abuse and mental disease with little if any chance of recourse. Perhaps you can understand why I have an aversion to the proposed legalisation of ganja. Sorry to have 'beat up mi gums' so much on this post, but, I have always maintained an interest in Psychiatry and I seriously considered becoming a Psychiatrist at one time. I have also learned over the years that there is a very close (and still not yet fully understood) link between many skin diseases and the psyche of the patient. With these long words, let me quit and see if I can something to elaborate about myself.
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 6, 2003 10:41 AM
Me again (dem a go tiyad fe see mi face! ). Here is Luciano's viewpoint about legalising ganja. No surprises here, he is a rasta man. I am a great fan of his music, but sadly, he hasn't come up with much in recent times.
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 6, 2003 10:59 AM
Intoxicants are bad for humans, episodes of related illness is better avoided, people have free will, society has cascaded into a hemp haze, the gains are few, while the time lost in this futility is weighed against life's purpose. Lucid expression in life's passion is not wasted like the monged out moments in a drugged up hole that makes a person forgetful of the depth of life. Surely there is a case for clean successful living which gleams for those who have lost through drugs who still want a shot at attaining life's goal. There is perfection in this existance, though it calls for abstinance from intoxicants. Promote active living, healthy eating habbits, personal development, education, understanding, humility, restraint......the list of handy attributes goes on.....inspiration....try peace, peace is what success entails, peace of mind, heart. It's my battered plan that I keep being drawn to, why slip? Get a grip, simply enjoy the light'n' beware of the kind of darkness that causes loss. spaceflash: patient? envolved certainly, satisfactory outcome.....hopeful
Posted by: spaceflash on December 1, 2003 08:52 PM
Post a comment
Whether they decriminalize or not, those who really want to smoke regularly will simply continue to do so. The way these 'herbalists' smoke, their attitude is, 'a nuh nutten more dan cigarette' nuh true??
BTW, I will have to add ishenks to my vocabulary. Never heard that one before.
Posted by: Dr. D. on April 1, 2003 12:02 AM