Submitted by Yardbroom
I understand that the supply or smoking of marijuana – quantity considered – is against the Law in Barbados. To have a sensible debate about marijuana in Barbados – without the unnecessary name calling which does not advance the debate – the starting point for all law abiding members of the public “must” be the Law as it stands.There is an argument that marijuana is no more dangerous than tobacco, it could also be said that no taxes are levied on marijuana therefore there is no incentive to legalize its use.
The above points have “some” merit but they are not the concern of the Police…who are often criticized. The function of the Police for which they are paid and have a remit, is to enforce the Law…as it stands.
It is the duty of others if they so wish to agitate for change, that is a sensible approach to take. However trenchant our views are and perhaps justifiably so, the Law must be obeyed, in a truly democratic country where cognizance has been taken of majority opinion. It is easy to allow allegations of misdemeanours and abuse of the law by individuals – even police officers – as an excuse for our illegal behaviour.
Even if a police officer stood on the block smoking a joint or engaged in other illegal activity that would not make make marijuana usage legal. The focus then would be that particular officer…or if there is a need, those officers. A group of officers however senior are not the Law, their function is to uphold the Law. The suggestion that some officers do not uphold the law as they should, is no excuse for law abiding citizens to disregard it. When there is no Law enforcement, anarchy prevails.
An argument is often made that if marijuana was legal there would be no problem. That is a false logic if there was no speed limit enforcement on the roads no one would be brought before the courts for speeding, but the consequences for society could be severe. Neither is the argument that tobacco is more dangerous that marijuana, because the “fulcrum here” is the Law as it stands not the medical issues which surround marijuana usage.
I must add, this submission has no connection with other events current in the public domain and is not intended to. It is simply a view from a different perspective to that taken by some bloggers to defend strongly held views on the use of marijuana. Note I have refrained from citing learned academic and medical research to either support or deny the use of marijuana, because the core of this submission is the ” Law as it stands”.
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