Calls for the Legalization of Marijuana

(ZIZ)– The Rastafarian community in St. Kitts is continuing its call for the legalization of marijuana within the federation.

Several Rastafarians joined law enforcement officers, members of the faith-based community, medical practitioners and government officials at a recent National Discussion on the Decriminalization of Marijuana.

Speaking to ZIZ News, Ras Sankofah Maccabbee said because marijuana is a plant, it should not have been deemed illegal.

“It seems very hypocritical that they would take one plant out of billions of different plant species on the earth and make it illegal to our society. So I feel that it shouldn’t be a question of decriminalizing, it should be a question of actually leaving the plant how it is and not making it illegal,” he stated.

Ras Dabo Penny of the Rastafaria Nyabinghi Theocracy Order added that more open discussions must be held for persons to air their views on the matter.

He said, “Some people are still stuck in their old ideas about marijuana while some people are still willing to be educated and so we have had the opinion switching from side to side on the pros and cons about the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and we hope in the end the better judgement will prevail.”

In an interview with ZIZ News, Archdeacon Valentine Hodge who participated in the discussion noted that the church would not be in favour of either the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.