Friday, May 20, 2022 10:12:21 AM
Gov’t admits decriminalisation of cannabis could be contributing to substance abuse
20 May 20220267
Bonno
The police have reminded the Cabinet that, while the abuse of cannabis is prevalent among youth, the law doesn’t allow for the random testing of minors and parental permission is required.
The government has admitted that the move to decriminalise the cultivation and use of marijuana for personal use is potentially contributing to the prevalence of substance abuse among the nation’s youth.
That admission followed word from the police that marijuana is one of the substances most abused by children in the country, and also public condemnation of that reality by members of the public who believe it is evidence of a decaying society.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Information Minister Melford Nichola addressed the issue during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, noting that the changed laws do need some adjusting.
“When the matter was contemplated in the first instance, it was not intended that there should be any wide scale abuse or expansion of the use of the substance.
“The idea of decriminalising the use of marijuana, where young men were found with small amounts for personal use, was then and is still good public policy.
“The whole idea that young men at the younger age when they are impressionable or sometimes curious, for them to have a criminal record that follows them throughout their whole life, we felt that it was necessary for us to decriminalise.
“Unfortunately, the decriminalisation has been interpreted by a wide swath of the society to mean that it has been legalised, so I think we have to go back and fine-tune that policy,” Nicholas said.
According to this week’s post-Cabinet report, a multi-sectoral group – including the police, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Child Protection Unit, NGOs, churches and other community groups –will be established “to study the subject of substance abuse and to perfect ways of discouraging youth from participating in this harmful exercise”.
It also stated that a number of activities that have apparently worked in other jurisdictions to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse have been identified.
That sort of engagement and interaction with the public, Nicholas added, is a major component of the new policy on cannabis use that has not been maximised to its full potential.
“One of the areas that should also have come with it was more public education, in terms of the negative effects of an abuse of the substance.
“So, there is a need for better public education and of course, to fine tune the policy, to ensure that all persons or parties are aware that decriminalisation does not mean legalisation.
“But we have to study this particular area before we can take any concrete and decisive actions”.
Under the current regulations, persons over age 18 are permitted to possess a maximum of 15 grams of cannabis, while no more than four cannabis plants can be grown in each household except Manitoba & Quebec.
Recent TLRY News
- Tilray Brands Celebrates Big Wins at the Craft Brewer’s Conference and 2024 World Beer Cup, the Most Prestigious Beer Competition in the World • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 08:33:50 PM
- Tilray Brands Celebrates Epic 420 Weekend With Over 20,000 Fans Across the U.S. • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Sweetwater Brewing Unveils Modern Rebrand • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Good Supply Cannabis Introduces New Signature ‘Bud Squad’ Products • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/24/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Montauk Brewing’s Project 4:20 IPA Returns to Support Surfrider Foundation • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/18/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Good Supply Cannabis Brand Celebrates Earth Day and Unveils Environmental Impact of “Green You Can Feel Good About” Campaign • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/18/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Tilray Brands Lights Up 420 With Music Festivals and Celebrations Across The Country • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/17/2024 11:00:00 AM
- 10 Barrel Brewing Adds 'Juicy Drama' to Its Award-Winning HopBurst Family • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/11/2024 12:30:00 PM
- Montauk Brewing Releases Its First Non-Alcoholic Brew: Montauk N.A. IPA • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/11/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Brands, Inc. Reports Q3 Fiscal 2024 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/09/2024 11:00:00 AM
- U.S. Futures Show Mixed Movement, Crude Oil Prices Inch Up • IH Market News • 04/09/2024 10:42:21 AM
- Tilray Brands Announces 420 Activations Across Canada and Unveils Celebratory Product Lineup • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/04/2024 11:00:00 AM
- UPDATE – Redhook Brewery Announces New “Big Juicy Ballard” IPA and Revives IPA Daze Festival at the Brewlab on 4/20 Weekend • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 06:02:00 PM
- Redhook Brewery Announces New “Big Juicy Ballard” IPA and Revives IPA Daze Festival at the Brewlab on 4/20 Weekend • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Medical Announces New Scientific Publication on Age-Related Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Sweetwater Brewing Unveils New 420 Variety Pack • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/02/2024 11:00:00 AM
- UPDATE – Breckenridge Brewery Partners With Denver Nuggets to Launch Championship Edition Mile High City Golden Ale • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 04:50:58 PM
- SweetWater Brewing Launches Hammer Red Amber Ale to Support Georgia Aquarium • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 12:30:00 PM
- Breckenridge Brewery Announces Special Denver Nuggets Championship Edition Mile High City Golden Ale • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Brands, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on April 9, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 11:00:00 AM
- 10 Barrel Brewing Unveils Newest Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/26/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Redecan Cannabis Launches New Spring Lineup • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/21/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Tilray Medical Receives Approval for First Medical Cannabis Extract in Portugal • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/14/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Tilray Wellness Introduces New Superfood Products Powered by Hemp at Expo West • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/13/2024 05:10:53 PM
- Tilray Introduces New Naturally Flavoured CBG Infused Cannabis Beverages • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/13/2024 11:00:00 AM
FEATURED Cannabix's Breath Logix Alcohol Device Delivers Positive Impact to Private Monitoring Agency in Montana, USA • Apr 25, 2024 8:52 AM
Bantec Reports an Over 50 Percent Increase in Sales and Profits in Q1 2024 from Q1 2023 • BANT • Apr 25, 2024 10:00 AM
Kona Gold Beverages, Inc. Announces Name Change to NuVibe, Inc. and Initiation of Ticker Symbol Application Process • KGKG • Apr 25, 2024 8:30 AM
Axis Technologies Group and Carbonis Forge Ahead with New Digital Carbon Credit Technology • AXTG • Apr 24, 2024 3:00 AM
North Bay Resources Announces Successful Equipment Test at Bishop Gold Mill, Inyo County, California • NBRI • Apr 23, 2024 9:41 AM
Epazz, Inc.: CryObo, Inc. solar Bitcoin operations will issue tokens • EPAZ • Apr 23, 2024 9:20 AM