Parliament to decide on a legislation legalizing Cannabis in Dominica

Melissa Poponne Skerrit, the Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central constituency, said in a Facebook post that the Government of Dominica would bring legislation regarding the decriminalization of cannabis in the Parliament for consideration today.

Melissa Skerrit said in the post that the Government aims at decriminalizing possession of up to 28 grams or 1 ounce of cannabis.

Also, the Government would make provisions for persons to cultivate no more than three plants of cannabis at their place of residence.

The legislation, if passed, would have retrospective action and set aside any conviction from the records of the persons who have a conviction for having less than 28 grams or 1 ounce of cannabis in their possession.

However, cannabis has been decriminalized in many other countries, including Canada, the USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru etc with certain limitations.

It is noteworthy that cannabis has several uses other than just being a recreational drug used for making a person feel good.

Cannabis contains chemicals called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids affect the CNS or the central nervous system, which includes the nerves and brain.

Cannabinoids are found in the highest levels in the flowers and leaves of cannabis. These are the parts of the herb which are used to make medicine.

Cannabis finds use in various medicines for various ailments such as nausea, vomiting, an eye disease known as glaucoma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support the uses.

It is also taken as a spray or by mouth to be applied under the tongue for symptoms of multiple sclerosis and pain.

Although cannabis is decriminalized in many countries and has various uses in medicines, it is still not legal in the majority of countries of the world and has many side effects when inhaled or taken by mouth especially in the cases of pregnant women.

The Government of Dominica has ensured in their manifesto that they would bring the legislation in the Parliament and try to decriminalize cannabis.