Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the prohibition of cannabis less than 100 years ago, was prompted not by altruistic motives or concern for the health or well-being of users, but to serve “the racist, political and economic interests’ of the then global powers.
In a message marking International Day of Cannabis, commonly referred to as “420’, Browne, whose government has recently announced plans to allow for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, said in the Caribbean, the Rastafari Community has championed the many uses of cannabis, and have asserted that the herb is utilized as a sacrament in their rituals, in their celebrations and worship.
“The prohibition and demonization have led to Rastafari being brutalized and castigated by police and other government authorities, because of the utilization of the plant Cannabis Sativa,” he said in a recorded message to the Cannabis Movement of St. Lucia which is marking “420” celebration here on Friday.
Browne said that it is in this context, and now that his administration is moving to amend legislation regarding cannabis that “I have issued a ‘genuine’ apology to the Rastafarian Community and have asserted that Rastafari sacramental or spiritual use be acknowledged.”
He said he is also urging that the Rastafari Community “be given a stake in production and benefits to be derived from the medicinal and other uses going forward.
“Let us regard this as reparations for Rastafari, for the wrongs inflicted on this significant minority group in our Countries, through the so called ‘war on drugs’ which evidently was prompted by pernicious prohibition,’ Browne said in his statement.
The Cannabis Movement of St. Lucia said it was pleased with the statement given by Browne, saying he is “the first sitting Caribbean Head of Government who has acknowledged the wrongs against Rastafari in the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda and has issued an official apology to the Rastafarian community.”
It described his government’s decision to liberalize the cannabis laws as “courageous” adding that it hoped that a comprehensive Cannabis Act that will regulate the use of cannabis in Antigua and Barbuda will be enacted by the end of this year.
