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PHILIPSBURG--Acting Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labour Rita Bourne-Gumbs said on Tuesday that she "is completely for the decriminalization of marijuana and cannabis-related products for medicinal use."
She was at the time responding to several questions posed by this newspaper on the subject via the Press Secretariat. In her brief response, the Minister said as well that she "is completely against the decriminalization of marijuana for personal abuse." She said however, that the actual decriminalisation or changing of the law must happen in Parliament.
When asked to weigh in on the issue, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson said he was unable to comment at this time as this topic needed careful consideration and consultation with all persons and organisations involved.
There have been some talks about the subject lately. The decriminalisation of marijuana in the correct way was supported during a discussion at a forum at the Belair Community Centre on April 18.
United St. Maarten (US) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson said recently that it was time to talk about regulating marijuana for medical use. The MP's comments were made in a parliamentary session on heels of the death of taxi driver Johan Alberto "Chach Man" Romney (55).
The MP said "Chach Man" had spoken to him several times about getting marijuana legalised as its medicinal qualities were helping with his chronic illness. Chach had been battling sickle cell anaemia for many years. Richardson believes Parliament should look at not the full legalisation of marijuana, but at regulating for medical use.
Chach Man, as he was affectionately known, was found dead in his taxi in the parking lot of Caribbean Cinemas Megaplex recently.
Businessman Arun Jagtiani had said recently that there are many reasons why the conversation on marijuana needs to happen. "Let's look at the facts: anyone who wants to consume marijuana in our society, whether tourist or local, has relatively easy access to obtaining it and very little risk of being arrested for purchasing small amounts. If anyone disagrees with that statement, they are extremely naive and not really in touch with what is happening on St. Maarten... I am only in favour of legalising hemp/cannabis if it will be done in a responsible and well thought out manner. It should become an industry that creates wealth and opportunity for many on the island, not created into a monopoly. Anyone who chooses to get involved in this industry should be held to a very high standard, in regard to not selling to minors and also be required to contribute towards youth development and educational initiatives."
In the just ended Carnival season, Police had issued a fine-sheet listing that the possession of five to 20 grams of marijuana was equivalent to a fine of
NAf. 250/US $141. The possession of 20 or more grams of marijuana, but less or equal to 30 grams carried a fine of NAf. 500/US $283.
Unlike the Netherlands where marijuana was legally sold in coffee shops for many years, St. Maarten has always criminalised the planting, possession and use of the herb.
