Big cannabis changes in Barbados
By George Alleyne
Not only is Barbados well on
its way to legalisation of cannabis
for medical purposes, but
the island’s Rastafarian community
will soon be able to
lawfully use the herb in their
religious sacrament.
At the time the Barbados
government used its 29-to-one
majority to pass the Medicinal
Cannabis Industry Bill 2019,
in the lower chamber of Parliament
Tuesday, Attorney General
Dale Marshall announced
that Rastafarians would soon
be able to use cannabis as part
of their rite without fear, adding
that a draft of the bill supporting
the Rastafarian ritual
would be available within
weeks.
“I have taken to Cabinet and
I have got Cabinet’s approval
for the preparation of a bill to
bring to this chamber which
will facilitate the use by members
of the Rastafarian faith
of cannabis for the purpose of
their religion,” Marshall said,
adding, “for us to continue to
prohibit that, would be to continue
to breach their fundamental
constitutional rights.
And not just rights guaranteed
by the Barbados Constitution,
but rights guaranteed by
the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights.”
The AG cited Article 18 of
REGISTER NOW: www.newyorkfamily.com/everythingautism
Caribbean L 44 ife, November 8-14, 2019 BQ
that Covenant which states
that, “everyone shall have the
right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion. This
right shall include freedom to
have or to adopt a religion or
belief of his choice. And freedom
either individually or in
community with others and in
public or private to manifest
his religion, or belief or worship,
observance, practice and
teaching.”
He pointed out that those
rights are expressed in the Barbados
Constitution in similar
words.
The occurrence and
announcement in the lower
chamber, or House of Assembly,
of the island’s Parliament
mark radical departures for
this country that is regarded as
the most conservative among a
group of conservative nations
comprising the English-speaking
Caribbean.
Passage of the Medicinal
Cannabis Industry Bill 2019,
Tuesday means that it will be
considered by the Senate, where
government holds a 12-to-09
majority, then go through the
formality of governor’s assent
and proclamation.
This imminent law answers
years of calls by sufferers of
various medical conditions for
access to prescribed cannabis
which has been scientifically
proven to provide relief to their
ailment, if not cure.
It also paves the way for
Barbados to legally continue
offering international business
services, including insurance,
to Canadian companies that
are somehow connected to
the cannabis industry in that
north American country where
it is legal.
Barbados’ largest international
business, or offshore,
trading partner is Canada.
Campaigning for office last
year, the Mia Mottley Barbados
Labour Party had not only
pledged to make legal medical
cannabis once it attains office,
but also to return to the people
by way of referendum on
whether the recreational form
of the plant should be legalised
.While that referendum is still
on the cards during this political
term that expires by 2023,
the 18-month-old government’s
announcement Tuesday
of its intention to accede to
Rastafarians’ plea for respect of
their right to the plant for ritualistic
purposes, however, took
most of the nation by surprise.
Barbados Attorney General, Dale Marshall.
Photo by George Alleyne
Fair & Conference
Monday, November 18, 2019
9:30am - 5:30pm
Hear from our experts discussing:
In Partnership with:
The Everything
Autism & conference
and resource fair
will be a guiding map
to inform parents,
educators and caregivers
with resources they
may not have access to.
Communication & Mindfulness
Health, Science & Environment
Parent Journeys
What are my child’s educational rights?
A legal perspective
Integrating Methods of Learning
Navigating Independence,
Self Direction, & Financial Planning
/everythingautism
/everythingautism