Head of the Cannabis Revival Committee (CRC), Junior ‘Spirit’ Cottle, not for the first time, is calling on Parliament to review the laws in relation to marijuana cultivation and possession, with a view to facilitating the transition to the modern Medicinal Marijuana Industry.
Cottle, Liaison Officer with the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA), said on Monday that the same way the Amnesty Law was passed in December, 2018 to facilitate that transition, the laws, and penalties for marijuana cultivation and possession should be amended.
He is of the view that those penalties are still too severe, and are creating economic hardships for the small man.
“The penalties which are handed down for marijuana possession are by far too high, especially at the time when countries, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are moving towards medicinal marijuana, as well as decriminalizing certain portions of the herb.
“Even though there is a move towards medicinal cannabis, it is transitional. It is not an overnight switch, hence the reason to exercise more tolerance,” said Cottle, who has been in the marijuana business for about 50 years.
The CRC chief, however, made it clear that he was not saying that people must be allowed to traffic marijuana as they like. This, he said, could have a negative impact on the Medicinal Cannabis Industry, which is now developing within a legal framework, and the International Narcotics board is monitoring the situation.
“If we allow people to traffic weed as they like, our country could be black listed,” he cautioned, but added, “At the same time, we have to exercise some level of flexibility, because people are hungry, they have children do feed, and not all farmers will buy into the medicinal cannabis route at the same time. It is transitional,” Cottle explained.
Cottle described the value of $500 per lb for marijuana, as set by the High Court, as a fabrication.
Speaking from the perspective of being a traditional cultivator, Cottle said, “I can tell you that $500 per lb is, in reality, not the case. Marijuana is generally sold at $300 per lb, and now where there is a glut on the market, you could even get it for $200 per lb from some growers,” Cottle said.
“It is true that you can get marijuana for $500 per lb, and more, depending on the strain of the cannabis, but the higher the strain the more expensive the seeds would be, and the average grower cannot afford those strains. You have to have some extraordinary connections to bring in those seeds, and generally, marijuana growers are poor people,” Cottle said.
And on the perception that marijuana cultivator make big money, the experienced Cottle said, “.. that is a misconception…. hat is not true.”
He disclosed to support his point that very often, ” traditional growers have to exchange cannabis for household items and foodstuff, in order to provide for themselves and their families. Yes, you may make a dollar in one shipment, but sometimes most of that is reinvested to bring a fresh crop, only to lose the harvest through interception by the police.”
The Court had the option, by law, to impose a fine of three times the value of the drug in marijuana cases.
In the High Court, the maximum penalty for marijuana possession, as well as possession with intent to supply, is seven years in prison and $500,000.
In the High Court, the maximum penalty for marijuana possession is 25 years in prison and 1.5 million dollars.
Possession with intent to supply in the High Court is 25 years in prison and 5 million dollars.
For cultivation of the plant, the maximum penalty in the Magistrate’s Court is 6 years in prison and $400,000, while in the High Court it is 25 years and 1.5 million dollars.
Marijuana possession carries the same penalties as that for cocaine.
Attorney Grant Connell, a staunch advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana and who has been consistently representing persons on drug-related charges, as repeatedly called for the laws to be amended, so as to significantly reduce the penalties, and ease the burden on the ganja man.
Source: The Vincentian