PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago government complaining that the country has been in an “analysis paralysis,” announced plans on Tuesday to introduce legislation to decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi told the Senate the time had come to debate the issue as several Caribbean countries have been contemplating legalizing the drug for medical and recreational purposes.
He told legislators that the Keith Rowley administration would seek to introduce legislation during the first half of 2019.
“It is anticipated that the legislation to address the issue of the decriminalization of marijuana should be…laid and dealt with in this House in the period of the first half of 2019,” Al-Rawi told the Senate as he responded to a question from the Opposition Chief Whip, Wade Mark.
Consultations have begun
“We have already begun consultation with the stakeholders…and upon having their feedback we intend to hold public events to encourage a wider form of consultation on an issue which has been around long enough….,” he added.
Al-Rawi said the stakeholders included members of the medical and legal profession, adding “we have written about 100 entities and we have received umpteen replies”. Also included, is a “very broad cross section… to special interest groups,” adding that approaches have also been made by private individuals and interest groups.
Hoping for the Opposition’s support
But he said he was hoping that the opposition would lend support to the initiative.
“We intend to go public on this position and we do hope that the opposition volunteers a position on this as well. So, I would welcome the opposition writing in to express their points of view on this topic. When we go public everybody will be invited and we will address the issue,” he added.
